mutilates; mutilated; mutilating
1
: to cause severe damage to (the body of a person or animal)
traps that mutilate animals
—usually used as (be) mutilatedHer arm was mutilated in a car accident.
the mutilated body of a murder victim
2
: to ruin the beauty of (something) : to severely damage or spoil (something)
a painting mutilated by vandals
mutilated books
Cite this Entry
“Mutilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/mutilate. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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