pummel

[ puhm-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, pum·meled, pum·mel·ing or (especially British) pum·melled, pum·mel·ling.

1. to beat or thrash with or as if with the fists.

pummel

/ ˈpʌməl /

verb

1. tr to strike repeatedly with or as if with the fists Also (less commonly)pommel

Other Words From

• un·pummeled adjective
• un·pummelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pummel¹

First recorded in 1540–50; alteration of pommel

Word History and Origins

Origin of pummel¹

C16: see pommel

Example Sentences

They also insisted we flew into the island while it was being pummeled by Tropical Storm Ernesto, which had knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people.

From BBC

Ukraine, pummeled nightly by deadly Russian missile attacks on its cities, has pleaded for months for permission to use U.S.-provided longer-range weaponry to hit airfields and missile installations well inside Russia.

From Los Angeles Times

Since late September, Israel has pummelled Lebanon with thousands of air strikes in an escalation of its campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group it has been fighting in nearly a year of cross-border strikes.

From BBC

Barely two miles away, Israeli warplanes begin their near-nightly pummeling of the Dahiyeh, the cluster of Beirut suburbs where Hezbollah holds sway.

From Los Angeles Times

In the days preceding the World Series, we were pummeled with references to the rivalry between the Dodgers and New York Yankees.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bash
• batter
• crush
• flog
• knock
• lash
• maul
• pelt
• punch
• smack
• thrash
• trounce
• wallop
• whip