MAUL Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

maul 1 of 2

verb

Definition of maul

as in to abuse

to abuse physically demonstrators who claimed that they had been mauled by the police

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly the irate store owner was mauling the shoplifter when the police showed up

Synonyms & Similar Words

maul

2 of 2

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 maul

Verb

The singer, 37, was set to take the stand in the case brought against him by his housekeeper, who alleged one of Brown's dogs mauled her sister in 2020. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 16 June 2026 Chris Brown was seated at the defense table in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday, poised to testify at his dog-mauling trial, when the judge declared a mistrial due to juror misconduct. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026

Noun

The half ended with the Free Jacks once again putting the Sabercats under pressure, trying to force their way over the tryline through a rolling maul, and twice failing to score. — Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Minutes later, Hanover scored back-to-back tries with near identical mauls down the sideline. — Marcello Rossetti, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for maul

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maul

Verb

When Platner arrived, the place seemed haunted not only by American misconduct but also by Saddam Hussein’s use of it to imprison and abuse political dissidents during his reign.

— Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
To overturn the trial court's decision would require an appellate court to find that the trial court abused its discretion ― which is a very high bar to hurdle.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026
The best restaurant sauces can tempt even the most prim and proper of us to lift up our plates and lick them clean.

— Rochelle Bilow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

Definition of lick

Noun

Subsequent video reported by ABC 7 showed law enforcement gathered around weapons the suspect appeared to have in their possession, which the outlet identifies as including firearms, a hammer and a knife.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Later that year, an intruder broke into the Pelosis’ San Francisco home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, fracturing his skull.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of hammer

Verb

Investigators determined that a group of men had attacked him at his San Jose home and that one of them struck him in the face with the handle of a firearm, police said.

— Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Refineries are maxed out, especially after Iran attacked 30 Middle Eastern refineries during the course of the war.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

After shattering the hearts of the USMNT with a sledgehammer, and then stomping on them for good measure, Belgium will look to end Spain’s dream of winning a second consecutive major tournament following its EURO 2024 victory.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 10 July 2026
The complaint says Salle’s 2025 painting shares the works’ pose, perspective, clothing, and overall visual impression, differing chiefly in that its subject holds an axe instead of a sledgehammer.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of sledgehammer

Verb

During this stretch, the Colts will face three AFC opponents, including the Steelers, who manhandled them last year and forced Jones to commit a career-high five turnovers in a loss.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of manhandle

Verb

Some lashed out at United’s fan representatives — volunteers who have been working behind the scenes to try to help.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Torrential rains and strong winds continued to lash the usually arid northern regions of Atacama and Coquimbo, where the government of President José Antonio Kast declared a state of emergency on Monday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026

Definition of lash

Browse Nearby Words

maudlin

maul

mauled

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“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maul. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of maul

verb

noun

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