as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Recent Examples of pummel
Asuka pummeled Sky with more kicks, but Sky was able to hit a stomp to the chest to take down Asuka.
—
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The argon’s jostling atoms will release electrons when, all too rarely, they’re pummeled by passing neutrinos, creating a signal that physicists can detect.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
As Pichai entered the water, waves pummeled his lanky frame.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene pummeled the mountains of North Carolina, causing massive floods that uprooted trees and swept away entire homes.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The argon’s jostling atoms will release electrons when, all too rarely, they’re pummeled by passing neutrinos, creating a signal that physicists can detect.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
As Pichai entered the water, waves pummeled his lanky frame.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene pummeled the mountains of North Carolina, causing massive floods that uprooted trees and swept away entire homes.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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The parallels between Ines’ dilemma and that of a nation being asked to lick its wounds in silence — in the name of moving on from past miseries — are present but elusive.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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April 20 – May 20 Your mood may be harder to hide when outside expectations press too firmly.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
As someone who started wearing makeup in high school to hide my dark under-eye circles and unyielding teenage acne, color correctors and concealers have long been mainstays in my makeup bag.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Her silver nail polish—reminiscent of the shade worn by Lou Reed (from one New York legend to another) in footage shown during Todd Haynes’s documentary The Velvet Underground—sparkles as Gaga pounds the keys of her piano throughout the film.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
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The park in Arlington features pulse-pounding water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, and family-friendly play areas.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In March, Israel dropped charges against five soldiers who had been accused of beating and sodomizing a Palestinian detainee in an alleged assault partially caught on camera.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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Mike Yastrzemski drove in three, including two on his first homer of the season as part of a four-run fifth, and the Braves beat the Cubs 5-2 in the opener of a three-game series at Truist Park.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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In previous years, the 31-year-old originally from Chicago might have lashed back when accosted on the ice.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
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Lively has maintained this approach was in line with the press tactic laid out for her by Sony, but the internet quickly lashed out at her given the film’s serious subject matter.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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There’s also a menu of small snacks, with mezzes like hummus, tzatziki, whipped feta, falafel, halloumi, artichoke and eggplant.—
Connie Ogle
May 15,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
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The one-time Ducks first-round draft pick whipped a shot through traffic from just above the slot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Those incidents follow a disturbing wave of fans pelting performers with objects — from phones that injured Bebe Rexha to aggressive encounters with Billie Eilish — raising alarms about onstage safety.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Friduss recalled marble-sized hail pelting the boat just before, after a discussion with some other men on the boat, Pickles made a decision to again try to steer for Homewood Marina.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The same day that the nanny allegedly beat Walter, other caregivers slapped and flogged his siblings, including with shoes and wooden sticks.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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