mauls; mauled; mauling
1
: to attack and injure (someone) in a way that cuts or tears skin : to attack (someone) and cause a bloody injury
The girl was mauled (to death) by a dog.
A bear killed one hiker and badly mauled the other.
—often used figurativelya movie that has been mauled by the critics
Many investors were badly mauled by the recession.
2
: to touch or handle (someone) in a rough sexual way
She was mauled [=groped] by some drunk as she left the bar.
Cite this Entry
“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/maul. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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