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buffeting

buffeting

1 7.0
Strong repeated hitting that makes things move, often by wind or waves
  • noun
  • /ˈbʌfɪtɪŋ/
translation icon : golpeteo
  • Then came a harsher movement, and her lifesuit activated, hardening against the buffeting her body was taking.

Examples

  • I see him at the age of nineteen, strong against the buffeting of the wind, the powerful engine roaring beneath him.

    Academic text (2001)
  • If I get any buffeting, I'll throttle back.

  • I put my hand coolly against the window, feeling the wind buffeting, trying to break in and get me.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • He was getting quite a buffeting!

  • In fact, he positively welcomes the buffeting.

    Blog text (6)
  • The team waits a moment for the buffeting to cease, and then Charlie reaches down into the tunnel, pulling up one of the electronics cases.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Travis, at the bottom of the tunnel, grabs for the hatch when another buffeting knocks him aside.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Brian looks up in wonder at the buffeting waves of flame in the ceiling, at the screeching timbers crumbling to the white-hot floor.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • As he held the wheel tightly against the buffeting of the wind and drove along the curving road out of the village, he realized that he had never questioned Mrs. Gallagher's bitterness.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The strong buffeting of the waves made it difficult for the boat to stay on course.

Synonyms

beating
vsbuffeting
  • NSFW
276 4.2

Hitting a person many times as punishment or violence

covers repeated forceful strikes generally, not only against people
pounding
vsbuffeting
72 2.9

A series of strong, repeated hits or beats

is the general action of repeated forceful striking rather than the sound
battering
vsbuffeting
  • NSFW
18 6.5

Repeated violent hitting or strong criticism that causes harm

is about repeated forceful striking without implying assault or critique
pound
vsbuffeting
15 4.7

A heavy repeated hitting sound, like drums or rain

is similar but can mean repeated strong strikes in many contexts
hammering
vsbuffeting
12 2.8

A series of hard hits against something, often loud and strong

focuses more broadly on the action of repeated forceful striking
thrashing
vsbuffeting
  • Offensive
6 6.7

A severe beating given to someone as punishment

is the same repeating action but not limited to punishment of people
whacking
vsbuffeting
  • Offensive
4 8.1

A hard hit given to someone as punishment

is similar but applies more widely beyond corporal punishment contexts
hitting
vsbuffeting
1 1.0

An act of striking something with force, often with a hand or object

is specifically about repeated, forceful blows rather than any single strike

How Forceful

to pummel
46 6.7
buffeting
1 7.0
blow
271 2.0
to hit
1.0
tap
66 1.0

Surface Forms

buffeting singular
buffetings plural

Morphology

buffeting = buffet (semi-transparent) = buffet + ing

Formally a regular nominalization (buffet + -ing), but the base verb sense 'buffet' (to strike) is less common and can be confused with the homograph 'buffet' (meal).

Etymology

Buffeting comes from the verb buffet, from an old French word meaning 'to strike', and it sounds like the short 'buff' of a hit. So, to be buffeted is to be hit again and again, which is why we say a ship or building suffers 'buffeting' in strong winds.