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
• incapacitate
• injure
• maim
• wound
• disable
• kill
• scar
• damage

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

One night, Gala, presumed dead, returns mutilated and claims to have escaped from the Inquisition. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025

Under my watch, the Department will act decisively to protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of care. —Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025

Anderson was charged April 12 with intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in connection with Robinson’s death, according to court documents. —Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2025

The couple gruesomely continued to mutilate McMorrow, allegedly hoping to conceal his identity. —Alex Gurley, People.com, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mutilate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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