maim

1 of 2

verb

ˈmām 

maimed; maiming; maims

transitive verb

1

: to mutilate, disfigure or wound seriously

2

: to commit the felony of mayhem upon

maimer noun

maim

2 of 2

noun

1

obsolete : serious physical injury

especially : loss of a member of the body

2

obsolete : a serious loss

Synonyms of maim

Verb

• incapacitate
• cripple
• injure
• wound
• mutilate
• kill

Choose the Right Synonym for maim

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 maim in a Sentence

Verb

The bomb killed 16 people and maimed several others.

on-the-job accidents maim far too many workers every year

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

He was previously charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (scissors) and assault with intent to maim, and he was convicted of arson. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 July 2026

Even in 2026, the category’s identity is anchored in infamous scenes of maiming, torture, and cathartic bloodshed. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Noun

She was booked on a dozen counts of willful/malicious kill/maim/torture animal, horse, and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000, police said in a press release. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

The direct damage includes full-on wolf attacks that kill or maim cattle. — Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English maymen, mahaymen, from Anglo-French maheimer, mahaigner — more at mayhem

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maim

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame

Kids Definition

maim

verb

ˈmām

: to injure or disfigure badly

Medical Definition

maim

transitive verb

ˈmām 

1

: to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously

2

: to commit the felony of mayhem upon

maimer noun

Legal Definition

maim

transitive verb

ˈmām 

: to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously compare mayhem