maim

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of maim More than 2,700 children have been killed or maimed since February 2022, according to UNICEF. Bymary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 July 2025 For nearly half a century, Iran has been a thorn in the side of the world, killing and maiming American soldiers, butchering Israeli citizens, threatening its neighbors and fostering terror around the world. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025 Walpole pleaded guilty to one charge of burning or maiming by using corrosive fluid, the outlet reported. Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 22 May 2025 Finland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania – which all border Russia – have made moves to pull out of the Ottawa Treaty, the agreement that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, which are designed to kill or maim if stepped on. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for maim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maim
Verb
  • By setting up permissions in advance, the agent (individual with the power to act on behalf of someone else) can step in immediately if the account owner is incapacitated.
    Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to grandmaster status, Myers is also a fourth degree in hosinsool, a self-defense technique used to protect, disarm and incapacitate an attacker, focusing on practicality to end a dangerous situation quickly with powerful strikes, locks and take-downs.
    Nicole Stracek, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Killing, Corrupting, and Exiling of Science Under Hitler Widely regarded as the world’s research powerhouse in the 1920s and early 30s, German science was crippled by the Nazis starting in 1933, when Hitler gained power as Chancellor.
    Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Deadly floods in Asia have devastated crops, crippling already fragile food production.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The severity, healing and availability of Purdy’s toe will depend heavily on which toe is injured and what specific part of the toe got injured.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • A student who authorities say opened fire at his Colorado high school, wounding two classmates and then turning the gun on himself, has died, according to the local sheriff's office.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Police say Reed then opened fire in the parking lot, killing Jones, wounding a 23-year-old Dallas man and also shooting at off-duty officers who were working at the business.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Arturo Holmes/Getty Images The body found inside the Tesla had been mutilated and heavily decomposed, law enforcement sources told TMZ.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Enslaved people could be whipped, branded, mutilated, or killed without legal consequence to their enslavers.
    Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Utah police on Friday arrested Tyler Robinson for allegedly killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, although his potential motive remains hazy.
    Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Key Background Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was killed in an unprovoked attack on a commuter rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maim. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on maim

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!