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

When the rest of us can’t sleep we count sheep, and this guy has to count burned and maimed Cambodian and Vietnamese babies. — Scott Sherman, The New York Review of Books, "A Muckraker’s Progress," 17 June 2019 In rural communities — where families’ loved ones were maimed or killed by the conflict and its explosives remnants — a deep distrust of outsiders has persisted. — Megan Janetsky, Teen Vogue, "Meet the Women Who Detonate Land Mines in Colombia’s Former War Zones," 24 Apr. 2019 Chinese companies have used official connections to avoid accountability for producing a range of defective products that kill and maim. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "China’s Vaccine Scandal," 27 July 2018 The army has also fired mortar shells indiscriminately in and around Laiza for years, killing and maiming residents. — Washington Post, "In northern Myanmar, forgotten Kachin conflict intensifies," 25 Apr. 2018 Unfortunately many of the bomblets in such weapons later went on to kill and maim civilians. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Army Is Using Robots to Dismantle Hazardous Rockets," 26 Feb. 2019 Dozens of White Helmet members have been killed and many more have been injured and maimed—often in the regime’s double-tap attacks that target those who come to rescue the victims of an initial attack. — Raja Abdulrahim, WSJ, "Hundreds of Syrian Rescuers Evacuated as Assad Tightens Grip on Rebel Areas," 22 July 2018 The 21,000 violations of children's rights included 10,000 who were slain or maimed, especially in Iraq, Myanmar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, the report said. — Verena Dobnik, Fox News, "UN: 10,000 children killed, maimed in conflicts worldwide," 27 June 2018 The 21,000 violations of children’s rights included 10,000 who were slain or maimed, especially in Iraq, Myanmar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, the report said. — Washington Post, "UN: 10,000 children killed, maimed in conflicts worldwide," 27 June 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.