maim

Synonym Chooser

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

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 maim Since 2007, at least 922 humpback whales have been maimed or killed by these ropes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Elizabeth Cook, CBS News, 15 May 2025 Reality, however, doesn’t require sci-fi zombies — fungi that maim and kill people are quickly spreading in the world today. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 6 May 2025 But the dream of an independent Palestinian state had already begun to fade long before Hamas militants launched their surprise incursion into Israel, killing, maiming and kidnapping men, women and children. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 Not that long ago, an 11th-hour revelation that the Justice Department was criminally investigating a candidate like Andrew M. Cuomo would have been enough to kill or at least seriously maim a mayoral campaign. Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for maim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maim
Verb
  • Most states require adults to appoint someone to make medical decisions, including authorizing treatment, if they become incapacitated.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
  • Using a drone, state police were able to determine that both suspects were incapacitated, having suffered apparent gunshot injuries, Fusaro said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
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
  • Clark has been injured and has struggled lately, going just 13-of-47 from three-point territory in her last three games and missing six of the Indiana Fever's 16 games this season.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • At least 968 civilians were killed and over 4,800 injured.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Two people were wounded in another Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Bryansk in western Russia, regional Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said Sunday morning, adding that seven more Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the region.
    Volodymyr Yurchuk, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • Six people were wounded in Cherkasy, including a child, regional Gov. Ihor Taburets said.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • One night, Gala, presumed dead, returns mutilated and claims to have escaped from the Inquisition.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
  • Under my watch, the Department will act decisively to protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of care.
    Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • One Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
  • Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said that another 88 people have been killed by Israeli fire over the past 24 hours, raising the war’s toll among Palestinians to 56,500.
    Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Maim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maim. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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