battering

noun

bat·ter·ing | \ ˈba-tə-riŋ

Definition of battering

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

When Ruvido didn’t appear in court on Monday, more than a dozen officers armed with a battering ram, rifles and shields broke down Ruvido’s door in suburban Carmel Valley, according to the station. — Tim Stelloh, NBC News, "San Diego police sergeant accused of sex crime found dead after failing to show for court," 6 Aug. 2019 Saief made one appearance in the five matches interim head coach Yoann Damet's been in charge for, coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes of Orlando City SC's 5-1 battering of Cincinnati. — Patrick Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati is expecting an early loan termination to send Kenny Saief back to RSC Anderlecht," 11 June 2019 This massive cactus species can grow over 40 feet tall, making them ideal symbols of the glory of the American Southwest and, also, very effective battering rams. — Aj Willingham And Chris Boyette, CNN, "A man got drunk and impaled his car on a giant saguaro cactus," 11 July 2019 One group used a makeshift battering-ram, fashioned from a trolley, to break a large glass door on the outside of the building. — The Economist, "Protesters expose a fractured Hong Kong, but China’s grip only tightens," 5 July 2019 Mike Pollak grew up on football fields as a human battering ram. — Richard Obert, azcentral, "Retired NFL player Mike Pollak teaches high school players to reduce football head trauma," 9 July 2019 In an abrupt move, Argentina’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate from 27.25% to 30.25% in an effort to shore up the peso, which has taken a battering in currency markets amid worries about stubbornly high inflation. — The Economist, "Business this week," 3 May 2018 The result does little for Arsenal in terms of league position, but will go some way to restoring the confidence that has taken a battering in recent weeks. — SI.com, "Jack Wilshere's Risky Pre-Match Watford Tweet Pays Off as Troy Deeney Misses Crucial Penalty," 11 Mar. 2018 Karr gave the Bears a 16-14 lead late in the third quarter with an 8-yard touchdown reception from Bronko Nagurski on a trick play — a jump pass after the 235-pound battering ram of a fullback rushed toward the line. — Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 91, Bill Karr," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'battering.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.