batter

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of batter Thousands of residents in Anchorage, Alaska, faced widespread devastation and power outages Monday after hurricane-strength winds battered the city on Sunday. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 Related Articles Already battered, Mayotte hunkers down for cyclone #2 Why is California’s wind blowing so hard in January? Sharmeen Morrison, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025 The boat’s nine-man crew struggled for hours as the storm battered the yacht, throwing it off its position near Martha’s Vineyard. David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025 Pacific Palisades is a meeting point between suburbs and wildland hillsides often battered by winds. Evan Bush, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for batter 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for batter
Verb
  • If pets do go outside, Aitken recommended wiping their paws with a wet towel or baby wipes to ensure any soot is removed, to stop them from licking it off.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Wipe paws off after walking outdoors with a wet washcloth or baby wipes to prevent pets from licking soot off of their feet after coming inside.
    Geoffrey Eisler, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For example, the Israeli military bombed the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius—Gaza's oldest church, consecrated in 1150—in October 2023.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Meaning Israel is even allowed to bomb Iran directly, something that American Presidents have consistently refused to green-light.
    Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The first phase of the truce took effect following a three-hour delay during which Israeli warplanes and artillery pounded the Gaza Strip.
    Mohammed Salem, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025
  • As Israel pounded Gaza in response Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The shrimp should be shelled, deveined and preferably have the tails on.
    Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • With an emphasis on the outdoors, the club immerses kids and tweens ages three to 12 in Hawaiian culture, with activities such as lei making, koi fish feeding, and shell combing on the property’s private beach.
    Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Here's what to know about Noem: Marco Rubio to visit Central America:Secretary of State to visit Panama after Donald Trump lashes out at country Where was Kristi Noem born?
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Cats hide pain well, Koski said, but perhaps their owners have noticed them biting or lashing out.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023 when virtually nothing went right for the Yankees other than Gerrit Cole winning the Cy Young, LeMahieu batted .220 in the first half on the way to a .243 finish.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In six big league seasons, Uecker batted .200 with 14 home runs in 297 games.
    David K. Li, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Today infernos whipped by a perfect storm of high winds and drought conditions hit the Western edges of the United States especially hard.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • As the fire came closer, whipped by strong winds barreling down the mountains, no ambulance appeared.
    Claire Fahy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Asked about his identity and to provide authorization, Deng tried to hide his equipment and flee, prompting the officials to take him and his companions into custody.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The show struggles a bit in places to credibly evoke the relative innocence (or quiet oppression) of the 1970s and there are some moments of cluttered staging that just don’t work; as one example, a big gag involving kids hiding in a coffin kinda needs a casket to work.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near batter

Cite this Entry

“Batter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/batter. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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