batter

verb

ˈba-tər How to pronounce batter (audio)
Definition of batternext
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly children battered the piñata until it broke open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to bomb
to use bombs or artillery against planes battered the city for weeks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example 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 Wright’s approach to the saxophone is often cubist in nature, reducing the music to isolated phrases and sounds and then battering them from every conceivable angle. —Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026 The statue, bruised and battered by its fall, ultimately went back up. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026 Finally, the crispy battered Double Crunch Shrimp are golden-fried and served with plenty of cocktail sauce. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 May 2026 Crispy battered Double Crunch Shrimp, served with cocktail sauce, coleslaw and fries. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for batter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for batter
  1. lick
  2. bomb
  3. pound
  4. shell
  5. lash
  6. bat
  7. whip
  8. hide
Verb
  • The parallels between Ines’ dilemma and that of a nation being asked to lick its wounds in silence — in the name of moving on from past miseries — are present but elusive.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2026
  • At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Most of these guys bomb because they can’t get used to the losing.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026
  • Well this immigrant grandma never murdered 180 schoolgirls in Iran by bombing them to pieces.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Definition of bomb
Verb
  • Her silver nail polish—reminiscent of the shade worn by Lou Reed (from one New York legend to another) in footage shown during Todd Haynes’s documentary The Velvet Underground—sparkles as Gaga pounds the keys of her piano throughout the film.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
  • The park in Arlington features pulse-pounding water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, and family-friendly play areas.
    — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Definition of pound
Verb
  • But on March 4, hours before the evacuation was announced, the Russians started shelling the depot.
    — James Verini, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
  • The 16-way adjustable sport seats are standard, while performance seats shelled in carbon fiber—presenting more aggressive thigh and shoulder bolsters—are optionally available.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Definition of shell
Verb
  • When the war began, a cornered Iran lashed out by attacking its neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a 45-year-old coalition of energy-rich Arab monarchies including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 19 May 2026
  • Harris also shows us the burn scars that ripple up Racine’s arm and across Anaia’s face, textured skin that makes strangers blanch, to which Racine lashes out defensively.
    — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Definition of lash
Verb
  • By batting 3-for-3 with a home run, four runs, four RBI and four steals, Davante Layne was unstoppable to anchor Malden (12-6) in a 15-5 win over East Boston in the East Boston Strikes Out Colon Cancer consolation matchup.
    — Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
  • Leadoff hitter Slimp, who batted next, launched her 15th home run of the season over the left field wall, sending Lamar home in the process.
    — Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Definition of bat
Verb
  • There’s also a menu of small snacks, with mezzes like hummus, tzatziki, whipped feta, falafel, halloumi, artichoke and eggplant.
    — Connie Ogle May 15, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
  • The one-time Ducks first-round draft pick whipped a shot through traffic from just above the slot.
    — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
Definition of whip
Verb
  • That day, Riley had been editing a sequence in which Corvette sneaks into a San Francisco condo owned by Christie, her fashion idol, by hiding inside a coffee delivery cart.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Bugs also tend to hide inside packaging, seams, or even the food itself.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 May 2026
Definition of hide

Browse Nearby Words

battens (down)
batter
battered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Batter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/batter. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on batter

Nglish: Translation of batter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about batter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cordial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
roulette-wheel-thirteen
13-Letter Word Quiz Thirteen words, thirteen letters each. It’s you...
See All