mutilate

verb

mu·ti·late | \ ˈmyü-tə-ˌlāt

mutilated; mutilating

Definition of mutilate

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 permanently destroy a limb or essential part of : cripple His arm was mutilated in the accident.

Other Words from mutilate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about mutilate

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Choose the Right Synonym for mutilate

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 mutilate in a Sentence

a painting mutilated by vandals was lucky not to be mutilated in the car crash

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year the bodies of more than 20 women, many strangled and mutilated, were found after being dumped in two neighbourhoods close to the Ugandan capital. — The Economist, "Uganda’s politicised police force is not reducing crime," 5 July 2018 The suspect reportedly altered or otherwise mutilated his fingerprints to avoid being identified, but was identified anyway using facial-recognition software. — Staff Reports, Philly.com, "Annapolis shooting at Capital Gazette newspaper leaves 5 dead," 28 June 2018 Investigators said the body had been mutilated and set on fire. — Max Cohen, Philly.com, "$1,000 reward offered for clues in death of South Jersey woman who was dismembered and burned," 11 July 2018 After they had each been shot in the head, Martine Bernard’s body was mutilated and the body of her father, Roosevelt Bernard, 68, was set on fire, according to a joint investigation by the Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale police departments. — Linda Trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Grand jury indicts man on murder charge in death of his unborn child," 4 July 2018 Any Man,’ by Amber Tamblyn Donald Ellis, one of Maude’s victims, who has been genitally mutilated, leaves the hospital. — Lisa Miller, The Cut, "The Weaponized Amber Tamblyn," 8 July 2018 Investigators in Washington County are searching for a suspect in a gruesome animal cruelty case after a family's pet cat was found mutilated on a neighbor's lawn Sunday afternoon. — Kale Williams, OregonLive.com, "Cat found decapitated in Washington County, cops search for suspect," 27 May 2018 Cases of people suffering from schizophrenia self mutilating the tongue, lips and other body parts have often been reported in medical literature. — Jayne O'donnell, USA TODAY, "His 911 call as 'Jesus Christ' went viral after Pizza Hut break-in; story since is tragic," 10 May 2018 Placards were banned, so the marchers pulled up their shirts to expose pictures taped to their bodies of people tortured, mutilated or murdered by the government. — The Economist, "Repression is worsening in Cameroon amid an uprising over language," 31 May 2018

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