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 The storm battered six states, causing billions of dollars in losses to crops, livestock, and aquaculture. Ayurella Horn-Muller / Grist, Quartz, 24 Oct. 2024 But the winner of the 2024 election can determine how badly climate change batters the food supply in the long run — primarily by controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Vox Staff, Vox, 24 Oct. 2024 This election season, even as hurricanes battered North Carolina and Florida, the natural world has been notably absent from both the Trump and the Harris campaigns. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 The pivotal ‘oh s---’ moment Around that same time in 2012, the U.S. East Coast was battered by Hurricane Sandy. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for batter 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for batter
Verb
  • Most other social mammals groom by licking, but primates are unique among tetrapod vertebrates in our reliance on hands and feet for tasks many other taxa use their faces for, says Borths.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Zia was licking herself and developing hotspots from itchiness.
    Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Israeli planes have made frequent sorties over Syria and even bombed Houthi infrastructure in Yemen, more than 1,000 miles away.
    Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Bowen Yang is looking back on bombing his first Saturday Night Live screen test after an interaction with Lorne Michaels.
    Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Through the opening 10 minutes, the Pioneers were pounding on the door with two early corners and a shot from distance that sailed just over the crossbar.
    Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • In Lebanon's capital, Israeli planes pounded the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight and early Friday for the first time in four days, spreading panic after a rare lull.
    SALLY ABOU ALJOUD AND WAFAA SHURAFA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • And at least five civilians, including a 17-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy, were injured by falling drone debris and shelling in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region Sunday, its Gov. Oleh Syniehubov and local prosecutors said.
    Susie Blann and Joanna Kozlowska, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Nov. 2024
  • During that same time span, the Buffalo Bills shell two future mid-round selections to the Cleveland Browns for the services of another veteran wideout in Amari Cooper.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The Owl, the father figure, flies into rages, yelling and occasionally lashing out with a hand or foot.
    Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Following his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump lashed out at ABC over the moderators' fact-checking efforts.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Domingo replies, practically batting his eyelashes, unembarrassed to ask me to expand on my compliment.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Though still raw compared to more experienced players in 2021, Clarke batted .324 with 8 homers and 11 doubles in 38 games, stealing 15 bases in 17 tries and playing fine outfield defense.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Available in 21 colors, the mixer has 10 speeds to knead, whip, and stir ingredients for bread, baked goods, pizza dough, and more.
    Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Add the honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cream; whip with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.
    Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The Super Bowl contender hiding in plain sight Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in early 2019 in what was a record deal at the time.
    David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But Bill Belichick has nothing in particular to offer when journalists ask about coaches hiding the effects of the disease.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near batter

Cite this Entry

“Batter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/batter. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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