battering

USAGE SUMMARY

"battering" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe an act of striking someone or something repeatedly, as in the following example sentence: The battering from the hail storm caused extensive damage to the roof.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Zamora has lost much of his mobility and, in the 34-year-old's own words, he is a battering ram of a striker now.

The Guardian - Sport

In the biggest upset in the men's draw so far, the Frenchman swept to victory on a tide of local sentiment, Tsonga battering his way to a quarter-final appointment with Kei Nishikori, the world No5.

The Guardian - Sport

There were in fact only around 150 demonstrators gathered at the front of the Dáil, a figure that perhaps said more about Irish attitudes to the present economic crisis afflicting the Republic than a disgruntled builder battering down the gates.

The Guardian

He added: "We saw in automotive the battering our industry took in the 70s, 80s and 90s before fighting back.

The Guardian - Business

The chances created were ambitious rather than truly threatening, Manuel Neuer claiming from Higuaín, Tevez and Di María with the winger battering beyond the far post when he did beat the goalkeeper.

The Guardian - Sport

Fresh from battering Newt Gingrich, the latest Ron Paul television ad for South Carolina has a go at Rick Santorum.

The Guardian

Yes, it's that time of year when two of our better states —the blue one and the maroon one— go to war in the best way possible; by battering each other over a bladder of air in a thrice-yearly epic that, if we believe the hype, casts the likes of Homer's Iliad, Lucas Star Warss and Channel Ten's Neighbours in its shadow.

The Guardian - Sport

Gormley stressed that no alternative constellation of parties heading another government could do any better in the face of the malign global economic forces battering the country.

The Guardian

He is alleged to have attacked Trotsky suddenly, battering his skull and injuring his right shoulder and right knee.

The Guardian

NEWCOMERS are battering at the gates of America's telecoms market hoping T-Mobile US, the fourth-largest mobile- phone operator, will let them in.

The Economist

The firm had already been losing big-name clients following the battering its reputation had sustained because of the Enron affair.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "battering" to describe a non-physical phenomenon, ensure the context clearly conveys a sense of repeated or forceful impact, such as "battering" winds or a "battering" economy.

Common error

Avoid using "battering" in passive constructions where the subject is unclear or weak. Instead, focus on active sentences that highlight the source and target of the "battering".

Linguistic Context

The word "battering" primarily functions as a verb in its present participle form (e.g., "The waves are battering the coast"). It can also function as a noun, denoting the act of repeated striking or a severe defeat. Ludwig examples showcase both usages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "battering" functions primarily as a verb or noun, describing forceful and repeated impact. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from sports and news to business and politics. While grammatically straightforward, writers should be mindful of maintaining an active voice for clarity. Ludwig AI confirms that "battering" is a correct and usable word in written English. The term's versatility allows it to convey both physical and metaphorical assaults, making it a potent descriptor in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pounding

Implies repeated forceful striking, similar to "battering" but can also suggest a rhythmic quality.

hammering

Conveys a sense of relentless and forceful action, like "battering", but emphasizes repetitive blows.

thrashing

Suggests a violent and uncontrolled movement or beating, sharing the intensity of "battering".

pummeling

Emphasizes repeated blows, similar to "battering", but can also imply a softer, less damaging impact.

assailing

Implies a vigorous attack, whether physical or verbal, akin to "battering" in its forceful nature.

afflicting

Suggests causing pain or suffering, similar to "battering" when referring to negative impacts or experiences.

bombarding

Conveys an overwhelming and constant attack, similar to "battering" when used metaphorically.

clobbering

Indicates a heavy defeat or forceful striking, similar to "battering" in its impact.

shellacking

Implies a comprehensive defeat or a thorough beating, sharing the decisiveness of "battering".

walloping

Suggests a forceful blow or defeat, like "battering", but may carry a more informal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "battering" in a sentence?

"Battering" can be used to describe forceful, repeated impact, as in "The waves were "pounding" the shore" or "The economy suffered a "shellacking" from the crisis".

What are some synonyms for "battering"?

Synonyms include "pounding", "hammering", "thrashing", and "pummeling", each carrying slightly different nuances of forceful impact.

Is it correct to use "battering" metaphorically?

Yes, "battering" can be used metaphorically to describe situations where something is subjected to intense pressure or hardship, such as "The company's reputation took a "pounding" after the scandal".

What's the difference between "battering" and "abuse"?

"Battering" typically refers to a physical act of striking repeatedly, while "abuse" encompasses a broader range of harmful behaviors, including emotional, verbal, and physical mistreatment. Battering is a form of "mistreatment", but not all "abuse" involves battering.