maim

verb

\ ˈmām

maimed; maiming; maims

Definition of maim

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to commit the felony of mayhem upon

2 : to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously

maim

noun

Definition of maim (Entry 2 of 2)

1 obsolete : serious physical injury especially : loss of a member of the body

2 obsolete : a serious loss

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Choose the Right Synonym for maim

Verb

maim, cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle 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 cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg. crippled for life in an accident 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 batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate. an old ship battered by fierce storms 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

In predictable crime-show fashion, there are plenty of maimed and murdered female bodies on this show, both those that crop up in Camille’s memories and those discovered in the present day. — Anna Silman, The Cut, "Sharp Objects," 11 July 2018 Jade Loren Anderson, 24, was arrested and charged with assault with the intent to maim by Macomb County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, online jail records show. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Allegedly Bit Part of Chinese Restaurant Owner's Ear Off During Fight Over Food Order," 2 July 2018 Anderson was jailed on an assault with intent to maim charge. — Robert Gearty, Fox News, "Woman bites off ear of Chinese restaurant owner in dispute over food," 1 July 2018 Later, while working for former defense secretary Robert Gates, Wilkie helped the Pentagon usher in an armored vehicle that saved American soldiers from being maimed by explosive devices in Iraq. — Paul Sonne And Lisa Rein, miamiherald, "Trump's VA pick, a longtime aide to polarizing politicians, has defended extreme views," 26 June 2018 The announcement — by a group better known for suicide attacks that have killed and maimed thousands — prompted a flurry of mocking memes on the internet, some calling the Shabab the first eco-friendly terrorist organization. — Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, "Al Qaeda-Backed Terrorist Group Has a New Target: Plastic Bags," 4 July 2018 In a story May 31 about a former school official convicted of maiming a student, The Associated Press erroneously reported how long Shaun Harrison worked as a dean at Boston English High School. — Fox News, "Correction: School Official-Student Shot story," 1 June 2018 The rivals most recently came near a military clash in 2015 following land mine blasts blamed on North Korea that maimed two South Korean soldiers. — Kim Tong-hyung, Fox News, "False starts, failures in diplomacy with North Korea," 17 May 2018 The rivals most recently came near a military clash in 2015 following land mine blasts blamed on North Korea that maimed two South Korean soldiers. — Washington Post, "False starts, failures in diplomacy with North Korea," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.