buffeted by

USAGE SUMMARY

"buffeted by" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe being struck or affected by something forcefully, often used in the context of weather or challenges. Example: "The ship was buffeted by the strong winds during the storm." Alternative expressions include "hit by" and "affected by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is too easily buffeted by changing political priorities.

The Economist

Buffeted by the criticism, Saudi rulers promised reform.

The Economist

His is not the only house buffeted by shifting soil.

The New York Times

You're constantly buffeted by unrealistic expectations and misunderstandings".

Independent

It is buffeted by instability in the region, especially Libya.

The Economist

Lots of industries are buffeted by seasonal factors.

The New York Times

The airline has been buffeted by turbulence for some time.

The Guardian - Business

It shifts, buffeted by the prevailing political winds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Presidents are buffeted by sycophancy, criticism and betrayal.

The New York Times

The walkways and awnings are buffeted by autumnal winds.

The Guardian - Sport

Witches on broomsticks got buffeted by the wind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for contexts where the impact is repeated or sustained; for a single occurrence, "hit by" is often more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "buffered by" when you mean "buffeted by". To be "buffered by" something means to be protected or cushioned from impact, whereas being "buffeted by" means being repeatedly struck or stressed by it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buffeted by" acts as a passive participle construction. It typically follows a linking verb (like "was" or "been") to describe a subject that is the recipient of forceful, repetitive action. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often introduces the agent of the struggle (e.g., "criticism", "winds", or "market forces").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "buffeted by" is a robust and highly effective phrase for describing subjects under pressure. Whether used in a literal meteorological sense or as a metaphor for political and economic volatility, it consistently appears in elite publications indexed by Ludwig AI. The phrase is grammatically sound and carries a sophisticated tone that distinguishes it from simpler alternatives. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with "buffered by", which implies protection rather than impact. Overall, it remains a staple for clear, evocative English prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

battered by

Implies more severe or damaging repeated impacts than "buffeted by".

hit by

A simpler, more direct alternative that lacks the specific imagery of repetitive motion.

beset by

Suggests being troubled or surrounded by problems rather than physically struck.

shaken by

Focuses on the resulting instability or emotional shock rather than the force itself.

struck by

Often implies a single, sudden impact rather than the sustained pressure suggested by "buffeted".

impacted by

A more clinical or business-oriented term for being affected by external factors.

tossed by

Used specifically for physical movement, especially in maritime or meteorological contexts.

plagued by

Suggests a long-term, persistent nuisance or misfortune.

weathered by

Implies a subject has endured and survived the forces, rather than just being hit by them.

undermined by

Focuses on the gradual weakening of a structure or position by external forces.

FAQs

How to use "buffeted by" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe both physical and metaphorical impacts, for example: "The small boat was "buffeted by strong winds"" or "The economy has been "buffeted by uncertainty"."

What can I say instead of "buffeted by"?

Depending on your context, you might use "battered by", "hit by", or "beset by".

Is "buffeted by" formal English?

Yes, it is a neutral to formal phrase commonly found in high-quality journalism like "The New York Times" and "The Economist".

What is the difference between "buffeted by" and "battered by"?

While "battered by" implies severe damage and physical violence, "buffeted by" suggests a repetitive jarring or pushing force that may cause stress or instability without necessarily destroying the subject.