buffeting

buffeting — verb

IPA/ˈbʌf.ɪt/
KK[bˈʌfətɪŋ]IPA/ˈbʌf.ɪt/
  • buffetingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • buffetings3rd person singular
  • buffetinging-ing form
  • buffetingedpast simple

1. when wind, rain, waves, or similar forces strike something again and again with

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

when wind, rain, waves, or similar forces strike something again and again with heavy, forceful blows, often causing shaking or damage.

Example

The small fishing boat was buffeted by strong winds as it left the harbour.

passive: be buffeted by [force of nature]

Rain buffeted the windows of the old farmhouse all through the night.

active: [force] + buffet + [object]

Common collocations
  • buffeted by wind
  • buffeted by rain
  • buffeted by waves
  • wind buffeted the [building / ship / coast]
Synonyms
  • batter

    stronger connotation of causing damage or breaking; 'batter' implies more destructive force than 'buffet'

  • pound

    suggests heavy, rhythmic striking; 'pound' is more about weight than about repeated blows from wind

  • lash

    implies a whipping or stinging motion, often used for rain or wind hitting exposed surfaces

  • strike

    more general term for hitting; less specific about repetition or the force of nature

Antonyms
  • protect

    to shield from the force of the elements

  • cushion

    to soften or absorb the impact of blows

Grammar Patterns

be buffeted by [wind / rain / waves / storm]

buffet + object

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice ('was buffeted by the storm'). The subject is almost always a natural force such as wind, rain, waves, or a storm. The verb describes a continuing or repeated action rather than a single, brief impact.

Common Mistakes

The waiter buffeted the table with dishes.
The wind buffeted the side of the house.
'buffet' meaning to hit repeatedly should not be used for ordinary actions like placing things on a table; it implies strong, repeated force.
The storm buffeted once and passed.
The storm buffeted the coast all night.
'buffet' describes repeated or continuous hitting, not a single blow.

buffeting — noun

IPA/ˈbʌfɪtɪŋ/
KK[bˈʌfətɪŋ]IPA/ˈbʌfɪtɪŋ/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe applying force to something, but they differ in how the force is applied. 'Buffet' specifically means hitting again and again from different directions, usually by wind, rain, or waves — it emphasises the repeated, chaotic nature of the blows. 'Batter' suggests more destructive intent or result; a ship is 'battered' by a storm if it ends up damaged, whereas it can be 'buffeted' without breaking. 'Pound' implies heavy, rhythmic, downward force, like a hammer; it works for waves but sounds odd for wind. 'Lash' suggests a whipping, stinging motion, often used for rain hitting an exposed surface or wind cutting across open ground, but it does not carry the sense of heavy impact. 'Strike' is the most general; a single bird can strike a window, but 'buffet' requires repeated blows. For example: 'The waves buffeted the rocks all afternoon' conveys ongoing, shifting impact, whereas 'The waves pounded the rocks' suggests a steady, heavy rhythm.

batter ↗pound ↗lash ↗strike ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • take a buffeting
  • receive a buffeting
  • the buffeting of

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchFrenchEnglish

The word 'buffeting' comes from the verb 'buffet', which entered English from Old French 'buffeter' (to strike with the fist), derived from 'buffe' (a blow, especially on the cheek). The meaning shifted over time from a physical punch to the repeated striking of the elements — wind, rain, and waves — and further into figurative uses describing harsh treatment or difficult circumstances.

First known use

13th century

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb