as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pummel
The video circulated rapidly on social media, sparking fury as at least two White victims were pummeled into the ground by a group of Black suspects.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Judge Vincent Giardino found Chrisantus Omondi not guilty by reason of insanity in the January 2024 killing of Scott Jackson, whom Omondi pummeled with a log.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
The Celtics pummeled the 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff matchup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
The Yankees pummeled the Royals 13-4 in New York, but Royals catcher Salvador Perez didn’t play.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Judge Vincent Giardino found Chrisantus Omondi not guilty by reason of insanity in the January 2024 killing of Scott Jackson, whom Omondi pummeled with a log.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
The Celtics pummeled the 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff matchup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
The Yankees pummeled the Royals 13-4 in New York, but Royals catcher Salvador Perez didn’t play.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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Maximilien, a French national, allegedly uploaded a clip of himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine before putting it back in the dispenser.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rookie center fielder didn’t bother to hide his delight, jumping and shouting in celebration.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Carie Hallford was sentenced to 30 years for her role in a scheme that involved hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The updraft knifed through the building, whose inhabitants were already suffering without heat or power for much of the winter as Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy system.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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There’s a sense of surrender in the way this tune eroticizes total passivity, giving up control, just letting your feelings pound you to a bloody pulp.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Freshman midfielder Quinn Fahey scored the lone goal for the Eagles (6-5-2, 3-2), who beat Andrew for the first time since 2021.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Led by starter Martín Pérez, the Braves started off another series with a victory by beating the Tigers 5-2 at Truist Park on Tuesday.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries lashed back at Leavitt.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
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Leo has not lashed out, or gotten defensive, or allowed himself to be pulled down into the gutter.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Read on to discover what the chefs will be whipping us this year at Culinary Masters.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
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In a video obtained by WBZ, Nguyen can be seen sitting on the side of the mountain as the wind whipped around him.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Saturday night, Curtis Nager grabbed a flashlight and left his home in unincorporated Parker County, about four miles south of Springtown, to check the outside of his property after a tornado and heavy hail pelted the area.—
Samuel O’Neal
April 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
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Reza Pahlavi after being pelted from behind with a red liquid in Berlin this morning.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Draftniks slap grades on the quality of the picks based on their perceptions of where the player’s talent meets positional need.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Marcus Smart grabbed the ball and fired a two-handed pass to James, who bobbled it and slapped it to Luke Kennard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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