MAIM Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'maim' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maim are batter , cripple , mangle , and mutilate . While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence. // maimed by a shark

Q: When would 'batter' be a good substitute for 'maim'?

The words batter and maim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate. // an old ship battered by fierce storms

Q: In what contexts can 'cripple' take the place of 'maim'?

The words cripple and maim can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg. // crippled for life in an accident

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mangle' instead of 'maim'?

In some situations, the words mangle and maim are roughly equivalent. However, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds. // a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Q: When can 'mutilate' be used instead of 'maim'?

Although the words mutilate and maim 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

maim

verb

ˈmām

Definition of maim next

as in to incapacitate

to cause severe or permanent injury to on-the-job accidents maim far too many workers every year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb maim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maim are batter, cripple, mangle, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When would batter be a good substitute for maim?

The words batter and maim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

In what contexts can cripple take the place of maim?

The words cripple and maim can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

When is it sensible to use mangle instead of maim?

In some situations, the words mangle and maim are roughly equivalent. However, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When can mutilate be used instead of maim?

Although the words mutilate and maim 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

Examples 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 maim But these attacks killed and maimed scores of people who do not belong to the group. —

Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024 Instead of Black life maimed, denuded of dignity, and degraded, each portrait that makes up I, Narcissus is a study of delicious glamour. —

Essence, 5 Nov. 2024 Her character came across as nothing but a crazed mother willing to murder and maim in order to reunite with her children, a somewhat sexist trope that failed to capture the emotional nuance of the character that had been built on TV. —

Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024 Every Palestinian life taken, every hospital bombed, every child maimed, is asked to serve within the Zionist imagination as a symbol of the infinite Jewish pain for which there can be no salve. —

Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for maim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maim

Verb

There are exceptions — generally speaking, those who are mentally incapacitated may be able to travel with an escort.

Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024
On this day in 1919: President Woodrow Wilson suffered a near-fatal stroke that left him incapacitated until the end of his presidency in 1921.

Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024