pummeling
Relentless physical assault
Pummeling is the act of striking someone or something repeatedly and forcefully, typically with fists.
When a boxer pummels an opponent, she lands blow after blow.
The word extends naturally to any sustained assault: The coastal town took a pummeling from the hurricane.
Sports commentators favor it for lopsided contests where one team thoroughly dominates another.
The spelling pummelling is standard in British English.
Repeated striking or pulsing
- punchingStriking with closed fist
- poundingForceful repeated striking
- thrashingDecisive, lopsided defeat
- batteringRepeated forceful striking
bludgeoning · clobbering · mauling · walloping · smacking · flailing · fists · blows
Overwhelming defeat
- drubbingDecisive, lopsided defeat
- thrashingDecisive, lopsided defeat
- shellackingCrushing, lopsided defeat
- routOverwhelming one-sided victory
demolition · annihilation · domination · crushing · clobbering · whipping · humiliation · blowout
beating
Repeated striking or pulsing
- punchingStriking with closed fist
- poundingForceful repeated striking
- thrashingDecisive, lopsided defeat
battering · bludgeoning · clobbering · mauling · walloping · smacking · flailing · fists · blows · strikes
trouncing
Overwhelming defeat
- drubbingDecisive, lopsided defeat
- thrashingDecisive, lopsided defeat
- shellackingCrushing, lopsided defeat
rout · demolition · annihilation · domination · crushing · clobbering · whipping · humiliation · blowout · landslide
barrage
Sustained, overwhelming attack
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- onslaughtFierce, overwhelming assault
- assaultViolent offensive act
battering · hammering · pounding · besieged · bombarded · inundated · overwhelmed · battered · buffeted · pelted
fierce
Violently intense or aggressive
- forcefulExerting strong pressure
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
savage · vicious · ferocious · merciless · ruthless · relentless · punishing · violent · powerful · vigorous
- defeatdefeat, beaten, conquered, vanquished, loss
- repeated hitspunches, jabs, drumming, hammering, pounding
- attacksattack, assault, raid, strike, offensive
- bodily harmhurt, injure, wound, harm, injuries
- fighting techniquesblock, parry, counter, dodge, guard
- Beatdownsbeatdown, drubbing, thrashing, trouncing, blowout