Definition of manglenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mangle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mangle are batter, cripple, maim, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When would batter be a good substitute for mangle?

Although the words batter and mangle have much in common, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

When could cripple be used to replace mangle?

While in some cases nearly identical to mangle, cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

When is maim a more appropriate choice than mangle?

The meanings of maim and mangle largely overlap; however, maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

Where would mutilate be a reasonable alternative to mangle?

The synonyms mutilate and mangle are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 mangle On the hood sat my key — mangled from being run over, but there. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026 Scientists mangled the message on masking. Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 Video from the scene showed a significant emergency response and vehicles mangled in the wreck. Mark Prussin, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for mangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mangle
Verb
  • In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Mets, who are a close second to LA with a $370 million payroll and over $500 million due in payments this year thanks to the luxury tax, have now lost 11 straight games after blowing a ninth inning lead to the Cubs on Sunday.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Matt Strahm struck out the side in the eighth inning, but Erceg allowed three walks and blew a save opportunity.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Major step forward in the aero-performance category The company completed the initial flight series of the Kratos J85 engine version of the Firejet unmanned aerial system (UAS), dubbed Mk1 Firejet.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
  • With a grand opening date set for June 5, construction crews have about six weeks to finish up the $34 million project, now dubbed Clock Tower Landing.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • These tenacious insects discreetly land on your skin, leaving sudden, itchy, and painful bites that can swell and turn red, ruining a perfectly pleasant outdoor evening.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Who knew that an attempt to ruin Iran’s navy and army would result in the demilitarization of the West?
    Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • José Caballero laced a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory over the Angels, moments after the Angels botched an infield popup in a costly misplay Wednesday night.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
  • José Caballero laced a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory over the Angels, moments after Los Angeles botched an infield popup in a costly misplay Wednesday night.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Using methods including high-resolution 3D scanning, researchers found that many of the 92 fragments bear cut marks on their inner surfaces, indicating that the turtles were carefully butchered by Neanderthals — with limbs detached, internal organs removed and shells thoroughly cleaned.
    Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • According to the Times coverage of the incident and subsequent lawsuit, the scenes shown in the classroom included autopsies, decaying cadavers and live animals being butchered, mutilated and tortured.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Authorities bungle the case but still arrest a maintenance worker for the killings.
    Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.
    Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Similarly, corruption or physical damage might destroy a file’s header, which contains its identifying metadata, while leaving other parts of it untouched.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The Jeep crashed into a concrete barrier after clipping the other car, destroying part of the barrier, Adams County Fire Rescue officials said.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mangle. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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