Synonyms of batter

batter

verb

ˈba-tər 

1

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

children battered the piñata until it broke open

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• pound
• lash
• bat
• whip
• hide
• beat
• hit
• punch
• pelt
• assault
• knock
• attack
• do
• slap
• spank
• thump
• curry
• smash
• box
• paddle
• slam
• slate
• punch out
• maul
• chop
• pummel
• belt
• club
• lather
• hammer
• tan
• lace
• buffet
• raid
• storm
• smack
• work over
• wallop
• birch
• thrash
• rough (up)
• bludgeon
• switch
• whale
• baste
• whop
• bash
• whack
• pommel
• drub
• thresh
• swipe
• bung up
• beat up on
• whup
• slog
• wound
• fib
• crack
• belabor
• flog
• lambaste
• mess (up)
• cane
• paste
• sock
• descend (on or upon)
• leather
• strap
• cudgel
• jump (on)
• tromp
• swat
• rush
• lay on
• cuff
• thwack
• clout
• pounce (on or upon)
• beset
• clobber
• assail
• wham
• whomp
• lam
• bust
• blackjack
• horsewhip
• scourge
• flagellate
• rawhide
• gore
• lacerate
• cowhide
• mutilate
• pistol-whip
• maim
• fustigate
• mangle

2

as in to bomb

to use bombs or artillery against

planes battered the city for weeks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bomb
• shell
• attack
• blitz
• bombard
• cannonade
• blitzkrieg
• pound
• assault
• rake
• hit
• ravage
• strafe
• enfilade
• strike
• assail
• devastate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb batter contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of batter are cripple, maim, mangle, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

When is cripple a more appropriate choice than batter?

The synonyms cripple and batter are sometimes interchangeable, but cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

When can maim be used instead of batter?

While in some cases nearly identical to batter, maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When is it sensible to use mangle instead of batter?

In some situations, the words mangle and batter are roughly equivalent. However, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

In what contexts can mutilate take the place of batter?

Although the words mutilate and batter have much in common, mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function.

a tree mutilated by inept pruning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of batter

The region has also been heavily battered by drought and flooding, which has exacerbated food insecurity, resources, and living conditions for thousands. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

In the years since, the Assemblies of God has been battered by scandal. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025

Jamaica very narrowly missed the requirements necessary to receive a payout from a separate cat bond when Hurricane Beryl battered the island in 2024, resulting in $995 million in damages to homes, crops and infrastructure, according to the National Hurricane Center. —Dawn Giel,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, the storm is battering the west coast of Cuba. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025