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DictionarypummelRepeated forceful attack
verb

pummel

PUM-ul/ˈpʌml/

To attack with repeated heavy blows, physically or figuratively.

The boxer pummels a padded training bag.

A woman boxer vigorously striking a padded training bag with gloved fists, strong repeated action implied by bag movement and one subtle motion arc, anatomically correct two arms, no words.
Etymology
pummelOld Frenchrounded knob

A pomel was a rounded knob, such as the end of a sword hilt. To pummel was to beat with or as with such a knob, hence to strike repeatedly.

In context

Plainly Difficult115:55
Water would pummel the valley as the lake emptied its some 4.5 million cubic meters of water
Rewind Year 7 of Plainly Difficult | Youtube Omnibus

More examples

  • Hail pummeled the greenhouse roof.
  • Waves continued to pummel the sea wall.
  • The fighter was pummeling his opponent's raised guard.

Forms

pummel · pummels · pummeled · pummeling

Similar words

strike
Strike can describe one blow; pummel means hit repeatedly.
batter
Both suggest repeated blows; batter often emphasizes damage or forceful wearing down.