Synonyms of maim

maim

verb

ˈmām 

as in to incapacitate

to cause severe or permanent injury to

on-the-job accidents maim far too many workers every year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incapacitate
• cripple
• injure
• wound
• mutilate
• kill
• disable
• scar
• damage
• hurt
• bruise
• paralyze
• lame
• hit
• dismember
• disfigure
• maul
• lacerate
• harm
• beat
• hobble
• mangle
• impair
• rough (up)
• hamstring
• murder
• lick
• wing
• pummel
• bludgeon
• torture
• gore
• smash
• slap
• batter
• smack
• punch
• spank
• torment
• hammer
• whip
• pound
• whack
• pelt
• bang
• box
• flog
• bash
• thump
• belt
• swat
• lash
• thrash
• paste
• lambaste
• swipe
• bung up
• sock
• kneecap
• buffet
• break
• drub
• wallop
• lace
• thwack
• pommel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heal
• cure
• rehabilitate
• remedy
• fix
• patch
• restore
• repair
• renew
• mend
• doctor
• rejuvenate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb maim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maim are batter, cripple, mangle, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When would batter be a good substitute for maim?

The words batter and maim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

In what contexts can cripple take the place of maim?

The words cripple and maim can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

When is it sensible to use mangle instead of maim?

In some situations, the words mangle and maim are roughly equivalent. However, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When can mutilate be used instead of maim?

Although the words mutilate and maim have much in common, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of maim

Most Iranians know someone who has been persecuted, killed, maimed, or unjustly imprisoned by the Islamic Republic regime that has occupied Iran since 1979. —Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026

There are a myriad of other events that Petco Park can book during off-season that don’t entail killing and/or maiming innocent animals. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026

But the Iranian regime has a long and remorseless record, not only killing but maiming, notably with pellet blasts aimed into the eyes. —Karl Vick, Time, 12 Jan. 2026

For decades, law enforcement officials have issued public pleas to revelers not to fire guns into the air on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, an annual phenomenon in some neighborhoods that has occasionally led to people being maimed or killed. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026