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

Seurat argued that the group, despite its battered state, may opt to pursue further military pressure to attain its goals. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

In a few minutes more a battered and bloody crew of men and dogs stood on the ridge above Albemarle. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025

The opening and final scenes are heartbreaking as the white hobo bag sits — aged, battered and slightly misshapen — on a rock in the Tuscan countryside, staring at the gray sky. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025

Brown's boyfriend found her battered body in her Birmingham, Alabama apartment. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing battered

• battered child syndrome
• battered woman syndrome