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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing battering

• battering ram
• take a battering

Rhymes for battering

• chattering
• clattering
• flattering
• pattering
• scattering
• shattering
• smattering
• spattering
• backscattering
• unflattering