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

Examples 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 Economic Relief: Years of strife in Syria ruined the country’s energy sector, battered its currency and strangled growth. Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025 But yes, Brock Purdy should play against the Lions Kurtenbach: The 49ers are battered beyond recognition. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024 Thanks to them the attack mastermind escaped scot-free and soon those who that day desecrated the Capitol and battered the police will be pardoned and will leap snarling back into society. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024 His predatory lifestyle leaves him perpetually bloodied and battered. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for batter 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for batter
Verb
  • Sweet guitar licks snake around Lee’s voice in the original recording.
    David Bauder, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Water collected in green pools that Leone said would sting if a dog stepped in or licked them.
    Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • With Biden now down to his final two weeks, there are no active discussions about bombing Iran.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025
  • After last year’s host, Jo Koy, memorably bombed, the emcee this year, Nikki Glaser, could hardly do worse.
    Stephanie Goodman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Heavy snow pounded the district, with totals of 5-9 inches and isolated areas receiving up to 12 inches.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Allar has pounded the table time and time again for his receivers.
    Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • To reduce time exposed, the driver accelerated to speeds approaching 80 miles an hour, weaving past potholes and shell craters on the route.
    C.J. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Peanuts—shelled or unshelled—are a favorite treat of bluejays, woodpeckers, chickadees, and several other species.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Every Indian restaurant is doing butter chicken now, and Marigold’s is very carefully rendered so that the meat is tender and very juicy and the creamy onion-tomato sauce lashed with fenugreek ($22) is absorbed with the cooking process.
    John Mariani, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • What's New Several GOP lawmakers have lashed out at House Speaker Mike Johnson after congressional leaders on Tuesday announced a short-term stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To us, as individuals who frequently whip up 12-clove Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry and don’t bat an eye about adding about 48 cloves to our homemade Chili Crisp, Ina Garten’s viral Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic recipe seems totally reasonable.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2024
  • An infielder and outfielder, Randle batted .257 with 27 home runs and 322 RBIs in a 12-year major league career (1971-82) with the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners.
    Paul du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • That led to an argument, and Little allegedly whipped out a knife, stabbing the victim twice in the chest, police said.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At the time, wolves were still considered predatory varmints to be shot from airplanes, trapped and snared for $100 bounty and whatever hides would bring.
    Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Set in a swanky apartment hidden above a cobblestone street, this intimate cooking class teaches you both the simplicity and complexity of Italian pasta.
    Anna Haines, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near batter

Cite this Entry

“Batter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/batter. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

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