Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mutilate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mutilate are batter, cripple, maim, and mangle. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," 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

Where would batter be a reasonable alternative to mutilate?

Although the words batter and mutilate have much in common, 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 mutilate?

The words cripple and mutilate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 mutilate?

The meanings of maim and mutilate largely overlap; however, maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When could mangle be used to replace mutilate?

While in some cases nearly identical to mutilate, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

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 mutilate Instead of giving turkeys more space and better conditions, producers mutilate them to minimize the damage. Kenny Torrella, Vox, 26 Nov. 2024 Van Gogh had admitted himself to an asylum there after mutilating his left ear. Katie Hunt, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024 Historically, prosecutors said, the networks targets underage females, grooms them, extorts them and coerces them to mutilate themselves. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2024 In April 1825, local magistrates declined to indict the planter Langlois, who stood accused of mutilating the slaves Gabriel (age 9 or 10) and Melchior (age 19). Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mutilate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutilate
Verb
  • About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.
    Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.
    Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • The 15,000 losses the Ukrainian president noted are those who are dead or incapacitated and cannot return to war.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Washington no longer has a pressing need to maintain its military presence or the crushing sanctions that were initially designed to incapacitate the Assad regime.
    Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With Inigo Martinez out injured after tearing his hamstring in the 5-2 Spanish Super Cup final pummelling of Real Madrid, both Araujo and Raphinha have strong chances of starting Wednesday's Copa del Rey last 16 clash against Real Betis on Wednesday.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The following year, three people from Nepal were injured by lightning when collecting the fungus and had to be rescued by helicopter after spending days stranded in the mountains.
    Daile Zhang, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Thousands of children have been orphaned, maimed and traumatized.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024
  • Pointing out the obvious, instead of killing and maiming one another, the surviving German males were back to producing in various ways.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Two men were killed and a third man was wounded in a North Oakland shooting Friday night, authorities said.
    Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The soldiers were wounded and were transported to Kyiv for interrogation, Zelensky said on social media.
    Zach Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • California Drone crash disabled a firefighting plane.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The carmaker said that in a small number of affected vehicles a reverse current may occur during startup, potentially causing a short circuit in the computer board and disabling the rearview cameras.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • By comparison, Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 storm that devastated New Orleans, killed more than 1,800 and cost about $200 billion, according to federal estimates.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The Eaton Fire, which is burning near Pasadena, was responsible for 11 of the deaths, while the Palisades Fire killed five people, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • When inhaled, the microscopic crystalline fibers can scar your lungs and cause fatal cancers.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 4 Jan. 2025
  • For instance, regrowth may be impossible if scarring from overplucking or injuries has destroyed the follicles.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mutilate

Cite this Entry

“Mutilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutilate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mutilate

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