pommeling

Beating with fists

Pommeling is beating or striking repeatedly, usually with fists.

The word comes from pommel—the rounded knob at the front of a saddle or the end of a sword hilt—which was once used to deliver blows.

Now pommeling describes any sustained physical assault: The boxer kept pommeling his opponent.

Also spelled pummeling.

assault

beating

Repeated striking or pulsing

hammering · walloping · drubbing · onslaught · attack · barrage · assault · relentless · merciless · brutal

weapons

cudgel

Thick wooden club

  • clubOrganization with membership
  • maceBludgeon with flanged head
  • flailSwing limbs erratically

baton · truncheon · maul · nightstick · blackjack · shillelagh · cosh · battering · thrashing · bludgeoning

weather

hail

Icy precipitation pellets

  • rainWater dropping from clouds
  • wavesTraveling energy disturbances
  • stormSevere atmospheric disturbance

wind · surf · elements · battering · pelting · lashing · buffeting · driving · relentless · torrential

boxing

punching

Striking with closed fist

  • sparringPractice combat training
  • jabQuick, straight blow
  • hookCurved catching device

uppercut · cross · counterpunch · combo · knockout · rounds · gloves · ring · footwork · bobbing

Opposites
physical aggression

pommelingcaressing

Touching with affection

stroking · petting · massaging · embracing · cuddling

attack pattern

pommelingglancing blow

Oblique, partial impact

tap · flick

treatment of others

pommelingnurturing

Supportive care-giving

protecting · comforting · soothing · tending · caring for

Family

pommel, pommels, pommelling, pommeled, pommelled

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG