as in licks
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pummels
As rain pummels the region, rivers, creeks and streams could rise and overflow, and flooding is possible in some urban areas.
—
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
Millions of people are facing a flood risk on Friday as an atmospheric river pummels Southern California with torrential rainfall.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
On a crowded street, Morejón strides up to the man and pummels him to the ground.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Israel pummels Gaza by cosplaying at self defense.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Russia pummels Ukraine overnight as peace talks stall Russia hammered Ukraine with 526 drones overnight, a further escalation of Moscow’s aerial assault.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Some brief thoughts on the ubiquitous popstar’s latest album, which is cheeky, provocative, and absolutely pummels you with hooks.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2025
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
Millions of people are facing a flood risk on Friday as an atmospheric river pummels Southern California with torrential rainfall.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
On a crowded street, Morejón strides up to the man and pummels him to the ground.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Israel pummels Gaza by cosplaying at self defense.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Russia pummels Ukraine overnight as peace talks stall Russia hammered Ukraine with 526 drones overnight, a further escalation of Moscow’s aerial assault.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Some brief thoughts on the ubiquitous popstar’s latest album, which is cheeky, provocative, and absolutely pummels you with hooks.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummels
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every statistic about patient safety hides a human story.—
Joe Kiani,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Produced by Red Planet Pictures, a Fremantle company, the show is set in a leafy London suburb and follows devoted couple Alex and Beth, whose picture-perfect life hides a devastating truth.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Robot beats elite human players at table tennis A robot beat elite human players at table tennis, a landmark victory in a competitive sport.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Take, for example, Republican James Fishback, who, according to recent polling from Keystone Analytics, beats Jolly by almost five points in a head-to-head matchup.—
Thomas C. Shank,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At that house, no one answered a Statesman reporter’s knocks on Monday, but Davidson told the Statesman that his family owns the whole lot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For one thing, precedent says that Waddle’s production this fall should, health permitting (knocks on wood), just about double whatever numbers Cooper puts out as a rookie for the J-E-T-S in 2026.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hudson’s character plays dirty and slams Ness’ hand at tipoff.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
On stage, Cameron Winter leads an overall enthralling performance, as the group slams out songs back-to-back with little to say in between; no shenanigans, just a top-notch show.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummels. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
