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 of mutilate

• 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

Authorities contend she was killed that same day, with her body mutilated on or about May 5. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026

In a news conference on Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against Burke, including first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14 and mutilating a body. —Austin Turner, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

Prosecutors alleged Burke mutilated her body about two weeks later, Fox 11 said. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

D4vd pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body in connection with Rivas Hernandez’s death. —Jessica Schaldebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

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