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
• disable
• incapacitate
• lame
• maim

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

Anderson, 33, was charged April 12 with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in Robinson's death. —Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024

Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in the case. —CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024

The investigation eventually led to Maxwell Anderson, who was arrested at a traffic stop April 4 has since been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in Robinson's death. —Ashley Luthern, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

Anderson was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson, and remains in Milwaukee County Jail on $5 million bail. —Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024

Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in the slaying of Sade Robinson, also of Milwaukee. —Antonio Planas, NBC News, 19 Apr. 2024

This mode of transportation is very dangerous; over the years, hundreds have fallen onto the tracks and have been killed or mutilated. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

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, 18 Apr. 2024

Will this time finally be the charm? Copper thieves strike again, mutilating a 100-year-old monument in MacArthur Park. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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