battering

noun

bat·​ter·​ing ˈba-tə-riŋ 

1

: violent physical abuse that usually involves the act of striking someone repeatedly or heavily in order to cause injury

Feminists turned violence against women, previously a well-kept secret, into a public political issue; made rape, incest, battering and sexual harassment understood as crimes; and got public funding for shelters for battered women.

—The Nation

2

: a damaging experience or situation : an injury, setback, or defeat

That was the year Canada rebounded from a 28–4 battering in the round-robin to beat the U.S. 17–16 in the championship final …

—Bob Kravitz

While her confidence took a battering [=was damaged], she kept a game face throughout the season.

—Sally Bedell Smith

Examples of battering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Fort Branch, the March 2012 storm damaged up to 96 homes, battering rooftops, siding and busting out windows. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 6 May 2024

Homeless people sought shelter in restrooms near the Ocean Beach Pier, which was closed after years of similar batterings. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing battering

• battering ram
• take a battering
• took a battering