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

Two weeks later, a federal judge blocked JetBlue Airways’ planned purchase of Spirit Airlines, leaving the smaller, battered budget carrier to fend for itself. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024

In the driveway of a rundown house, two soldiers work quickly under the glow of headlamps, loading weapons from a shed into the back of a battered truck. —Brian Mann, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024

The Louisiana institution has been serving its signature version of paper-thin, sliced fish that’s battered and deep fried to a crispy, golden-brown perfection since 1934. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024

And a battered champ, a teen prodigy and a missing GOAT: Chess’ biggest event is here. —Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing battered

• battered child syndrome
• battered woman syndrome