mutilation

noun

mu·​ti·​la·​tion ˌmyü-tə-ˈlā-shən 

plural mutilations

1

: an act or instance of destroying, removing, or severely damaging a limb or other body part of a person or animal

the mutilation of a body

They were men who had been sexually damaged by disease, accident, or deliberate mutilation.

—James J. O'Donnell

His book contains very many gruesome accounts of murder and mutilation, and page after page describing torture in almost salacious detail.

—Geoffrey Wheatcroft

see also female genital mutilation

2

: an act or instance of damaging or altering something radically

Evidence suggests that the mutilation of the sculptures was deliberate.

Thus an author has the right of paternity (authorship) and integrity (the right to object to derogatory actions, distortion, mutilation or other modifications in relation to his or her work that would be prejudicial to the artist's honor or reputation).

—Judith Nierman

Critics described the proposed structure as a "vast pile of masonry" that they feared would never be removed and would become a "permanent mutilation of Hyde Park."

—Henry Petroski

Examples of mutilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Haaretz report threw doubt on the assertions of genital mutilation. —Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 20 July 2024

As to the gory that was Rome, there are brawls, murders, mutilations, executions, death by CGI wild animal and multi-chariot pileups. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024

In 2016, two women also faced charges after a 5-month-old girl died from genital mutilation. —Nimi Princewill, CNN, 15 July 2024

Border police have had violent run-ins with members, and the thought of a potential border wall is seen as a travesty here – a mutilation of the land itself. —Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 24 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1517, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mutilation

• female genital mutilation
• self-mutilation

Medical Definition

mutilation

noun

mu·​ti·​la·​tion ˌmyüt-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

1

: deprivation of a limb or essential part especially by excision

the mutilation of a body

2

: an instance of mutilating