1
as in slaughtering
to kill on a large scale
the barbarians butchered the monks in the monasteries without mercy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in fumbling
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the new piano student butchered the sonatina
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of butchering
While pig butchering operations are veering toward the sophisticated and professional, horrendous abuses persist.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
By butchering the fish in the restaurant, Hanke reduces the amount of time in which the quality of the fish could deteriorate.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
At first, the recruits wonder if this is all part of the big test, though when the machine starts butchering them, the sole survivors realise that something else is up.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
For nearly half a century, Iran has been a thorn in the side of the United States, killing and maiming American soldiers, butchering Israeli citizens, threatening its neighbors and fostering terror around the globe.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
The same day, a friend sent him an article about pig-butchering schemes.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
This can include field dressing, skinning, butchering into various cuts and packaging.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025
The artifacts included thimbles, a needle remnant and buttons — in addition to animal bones that showed signs of butchering.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
By butchering the fish in the restaurant, Hanke reduces the amount of time in which the quality of the fish could deteriorate.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
At first, the recruits wonder if this is all part of the big test, though when the machine starts butchering them, the sole survivors realise that something else is up.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
For nearly half a century, Iran has been a thorn in the side of the United States, killing and maiming American soldiers, butchering Israeli citizens, threatening its neighbors and fostering terror around the globe.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
The same day, a friend sent him an article about pig-butchering schemes.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
This can include field dressing, skinning, butchering into various cuts and packaging.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025
The artifacts included thimbles, a needle remnant and buttons — in addition to animal bones that showed signs of butchering.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butchering
Verb
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Livestock numbers are strictly controlled on Tristan, and the community manages the herd by occasionally slaughtering animals for meat and leather.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
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One thinks of the hundred brothers that Donald Antrim imagined, gathering in the ancestral home to honor their father’s memory and ritually slaughtering one of their own.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the title in their grasp, the Ducks have greased up their fingers, fumbling into a four-game winless slump.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Last season’s Detroit Tigers endured the worst divisional collapse in history, fumbling an AL Central lead that reached 15 1/2 games in July.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The city did not adopt its own grocery tax to replace it, blowing a roughly $80 million hole in its budget.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And in Ashley and Marsha's texts about murdering Harold, there was a reference to Ty.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Police arrested Bowen, 40, on Wednesday, charged with murdering his wife in their Coral Springs home and tampering with evidence.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Where was Michael Hill, the commissioner’s office executive serving as Team USA’s general manager, while his manager was mangling the stakes of the situation?—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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Bruce, my sincere apology for 40 years of mangling your songs in the car.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Another crucial aspect of Cinecittà’s renewal is its state-of-the-art video and audio post-production facilities, including dubbing and mixing rooms and a 35mm and 16mm film development and restoration lab.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Deadline revealed details of the changes last year, with executives dubbing the plan Project Ada.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And thanks to their merino wool blend—helpful for moisture control and odor resistance—I did’t have to worry about ruining good shoes with gross foot sweat.—
Christa Sgobba,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2026
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The young Wolverines had already taken their leave with figurative Texas tread marks ruining their silky white, maize and blue uniforms.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hamas’ charter calls for destroying Israel.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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When season five begins, Ed is a leader in the separatist group the Sons and Daughters of Mars, a former agent of the ruling order now intent on destroying it.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Butchering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butchering. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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