mutilate

verb

mu·​ti·​late ˈmyü-tə-ˌlāt 

mutilated; mutilating; mutilates

transitive verb

1

: to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect

The child mutilated the book with his scissors.

a painting mutilated by vandals

2

: to cut off or cause severe damage to a limb or essential part of

His arm was mutilated in the accident.

mutilator

ˈmyü-tə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

plural mutilators

Synonyms

• cripple
• disable
• incapacitate
• lame
• maim

Choose the Right Synonym for mutilate

maim, mutilate, mangle mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage.

maim implies the loss or injury of a body part.

maimed by a shark

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

mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Examples of mutilate in a Sentence

a painting mutilated by vandals

was lucky not to be mutilated in the car crash

Recent Examples on the Web

The bail application said a tattoo on Taylor’s torso had been mutilated with a sharp object. —Ray Sanchez, CNN, 9 June 2024

Prosecutors assert Anderson met up with Robinson for a date April 1, then killed and mutilated her. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024

The videos are extreme and include footage of monkeys being buried alive, crammed into jars, burned, or otherwise mutilated. —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 5 June 2024

Decades after his body was discovered, a man who was found mutilated in Daviess County, Kentucky, has been identified, according to Kentucky State Police. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutilatus, past participle of mutilare, from mutilus truncated, maimed

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mutilate

verb

mu·​ti·​late ˈmyüt-ᵊl-ˌāt 

mutilated; mutilating

1

: to make imperfect by cutting or altering severely : ruin

mutilate a play

2

: to cut off or destroy a necessary part (as a limb) : maim

mutilation

ˌmyüt-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

noun

mutilator

ˈmyüt-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

mutilate

transitive verb

mu·​ti·​late ˈmyüt-ᵊl-ˌāt 

mutilated; mutilating

: to cut off or cause severe damage to a limb or essential part of

mutilate a body

also : castrate sense 1