pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpə-məl 

pummeled also pummelled; pummeling also pummelling ˈpə-mə-liŋ 

ˈpəm-liŋ

: pound, beat

Synonyms

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lather
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slate
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup
• work over

Examples of pummel in a Sentence

pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

The historic, late-September storm pummeled Western North Carolina leaving a wake of devastation. —USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

After the hack asked Gueye to get out, the feeling-no-pain fare pulled the driver out of the cab and pummeled him — choking him and punching him numerous times, according to police. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025

This time, the Eagles pummeled the Washington Commanders behind scoring from Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025

Lorne has never banned anyone from the show On Halloween 1981, at the behest of John Belushi, L.A. punk band Fear pummeled a national audience with one of SNL’s most raucous performances. —Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of pommel

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpəm-əl 

pummeled or pummelled; pummeling or pummelling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: pound entry 3 sense 2a, beat

knead and pummel the dough

2

: to defeat decisively

pummeled the competition