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

The first major atmospheric river system is pummeling the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, supercharged by a bomb cyclone.

From Los Angeles Times

Hindenburg Research, a short seller that makes money by betting that stocks will drop, published these claims in a scathing report, which pummeled the prices of Mr. Adani’s stocks and bonds.

From New York Times

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

Related Words

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