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
The Nation2
: 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
Bob KravitzWhile her confidence took a battering [=was damaged], she kept a game face throughout the season.—Sally Bedell Smith
Sally Bedell SmithExamples of battering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tehran’s nuclear program also was significantly damaged by the strikes killing key scientists, damage to Iran’s missile production industry and the battering of Iran’s aerial defense system, according to the Israeli’s assessment.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Her willowy frame takes a tremendous battering as brutes slam her into tables and through walls.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
February’s 4-1 battering at Crystal Palace called for deep introspection, however.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
The whole film industry has taken such a battering and there are so many factors that have contributed to that – Covid, the strikes and the way people consume content have all had a lasting effect on the market.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 14 May 2025
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Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Her willowy frame takes a tremendous battering as brutes slam her into tables and through walls.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
February’s 4-1 battering at Crystal Palace called for deep introspection, however.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
The whole film industry has taken such a battering and there are so many factors that have contributed to that – Covid, the strikes and the way people consume content have all had a lasting effect on the market.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for battering
Cite this Entry
“Battering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battering. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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