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

State of play: The Aztecs pummeled Cal State San Marcos in an exhibition game last week with a strong defensive performance. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024

Wrestling would pummel the others, but since Michigan conducts a state championship for girls, the sport isn't tallied even though girls routinely compete on boys' teams. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024

But a large wave pummeled her, spilling her into the water. —Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

In the first half of last night’s contest, when the Rockets were getting pummeled, falling behind by as much as 30 points, that league leading net rating was not hard to believe, even with Steph Curry sidelined. —Rahat Huq, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

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