mincemeat

noun

mince·​meat ˈmin(t)s-ˌmēt 

1

: minced meat

2

: a finely chopped mixture (as of raisins, apples, and spices) sometimes with meat that is often used as pie filling

3

: a state of defeat, destruction, or annihilation

—used in the phrase make mincemeat of

a boxer who regularly makes mincemeat of opponents

Synonyms of mincemeat

• destruction
• devastation
• havoc
• demolition
• extinction
• loss

Examples of mincemeat in a Sentence

the artillery quickly made mincemeat of the enemy's fortifications

Recent Examples on the Web

Anyone could make mincemeat of these performances. —Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025

The lineup shifts with the seasons (think pecan in the fall, mincemeat at Christmas, and cherry in summer), but a few icons never leave the case. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025

Captive carnivores in the United States often have their diets supplemented with commercially available meat products, like chunk or mincemeat. —Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025

After making mincemeat of several San Francisco relievers on Friday night, however, the Red Sox couldn’t manage a baserunner against Randy Rodríguez and Tyler Rogers, who pitched the seventh and eighth, respectively. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mincemeat

• make mincemeat of
• make mincemeat (out) of

Rhymes for mincemeat

• bittersweet
• celestite
• incomplete
• indiscreet
• marguerite
• obsolete
• overeat
• overheat
• parakeet
• stillingfleet
• superheat
• amit

Kids Definition

mincemeat

noun

mince·​meat ˈmin(t)-ˌsmēt 

1

: minced meat

2

: a finely chopped mixture (as of raisins, apples, and spices) with or without meat