pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpə-məl How to pronounce pummel (audio)
pummeled also pummelled; pummeling also pummelling ˈpə-mə-liŋ How to pronounce pummel (audio)
ˈpəm-liŋ
Synonyms of pummelnext
: pound, beat

Synonyms of pummel

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Examples of pummel in a Sentence

pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
On Wednesday night, northern and central parts of the state saw hail the size of golf balls that pummeled people’s roofs, shattered windows and dented cars, along with damaging wind gusts. — Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Russian missiles and drones have pummeled Ukraine’s power grid and other key sites, part of Kremlin efforts to weaken morale and resistance. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Finally, when expectations crested for the Jayhawks, they got pummeled on their home turf. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 An unusually active hurricane season triggered a trio of storms that pummeled Hawaii and Mexico earlier this year. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pummel

Word History

Etymology

alteration of pommel

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pummel was in 1548

Rhymes for pummel

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Browse Nearby Words

pumicite
pummel
pummelo
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Cite this Entry

“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pummel. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pummel

verb
pum·​mel ˈpəm-əl How to pronounce pummel (audio)
pummeled or pummelled; pummeling or pummelling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce pummel (audio)
1
: pound entry 3 sense 2a, beat
knead and pummel the dough
2
: to defeat decisively
pummeled the competition
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