battered

adjective

bat·​tered ˈba-tərd 

1

: damaged or worn down by hard use

a battered old hat

a battered truck

2

: injured by repeated blows

the victim's battered body

a boxer's battered face

3

: subjected to repeated physical abuse

providing help for battered wives/children

… the store turned into an impromptu women's crisis center, where battered women and mothers trying to rescue their daughters from abusive dads gravitated.

—Donna Minkowitz

Examples of battered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then seconds later, a battered and bruised arm emerges from the dirt, signaling a possible Slim Shady revival. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 July 2024

By the end of today, the new prime minister will have a brand-new cabinet, and the real work of trying to fix a broken, battered country can begin. And make no mistake: that is a gargantuan task. —Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, Vogue, 5 July 2024

His battered body was found outside the home of another Boston Police officer on Jan. 29, 2022. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 1 July 2024

Lowrey marries his physical therapist, Christine (Melanie Liburd, who spends much of the film as a battered, anguished hostage); Tasha Smith replaces Theresa Randle as Burnett’s wife, Theresa. —Michael Phillips, Twin Cities, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing battered

• battered child syndrome
• battered woman syndrome