1
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
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
the irate store owner was mauling the shoplifter when the police showed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in hammer
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maul
Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
Using the baton technique, the Mora Companion Spark chops wood like a spitting maul.
—Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 July 2025
The bear mauled the hiker, who unloaded his entire can of spray deterrent to ward off the bear, first to stop the attack and then a second time when the bear returned.
—Mark Thiessen, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for maul
Verb
Cama’s 7-point try box came in the 74th minute and was a result of the Legion muscling their way to a series of successful scrums, mauls and rucks before Cama punched it over inside the 5-meter line area.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
Using the baton technique, the Mora Companion Spark chops wood like a spitting maul.
—Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
Noun
An animal shelter employee was mauled to death by two dogs rescued from a dog-fighting ring in Mississippi, according to multiple reports, citing local police and officials.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 July 2025
The bear mauled the hiker, who unloaded his entire can of spray deterrent to ward off the bear, first to stop the attack and then a second time when the bear returned.
—Mark Thiessen, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for maul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maul
Verb
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In his experiment, students who were randomly assigned to be guards began abusing the students who were prisoners after only five days.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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While walking the two men to a USBP vehicle, Wilkins, a bystander, began verbally abusing authorities, DHS said.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Verdejo understands why some members of the party may be licking their wounds post-loss, but believes the complaining should wrap as the committee reaches a critical transition point.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
27 Aug. 2025
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Sitting outdoors, Pattison was joined by her dogs, Max and Milo, and another woman, when one of the canines approached the star and started licking the inside of her mouth.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Knight entered last and hit Uso with a burning hammer before taking a shining wizard from Punk, who found himself on the receiving end of a Pedigree from Rollins.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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In the Rams’ 38-21 loss to Washington at Husky Stadium, Dupree, a 6-foot, 210-pound hammer from Arkansas, was the best back on the field.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Mastantuono, 18, has the characteristics to contribute from a deeper position, but his signing was intended for more attacking areas, as is being seen.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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An elderly Arkansas man is in the hospital after a black bear attacked him in Franklin County on Wednesday.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It was held near the course of the Sydney Marathon, where 35,000 runners pounded the streets on Sunday, finishing at the city’s Opera House.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
-
It gets pounded into our heads — stay low, stay low.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This ruling takes a sledgehammer to an already overstretched health care network, and Mainers statewide will feel the effects of defunding Maine Family Planning, regardless of their insurance status.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
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That threat to a Ukrainian official in the Kherson region involved being dragged by a Russian security officer to a basement and presented with an ultimatum backed by a sledgehammer.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As lead character Lee Raybon, Ethan Hawke gets beaten up (and manhandled, and shoved in the trunk of a car) a good amount in the trailer.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Aug. 2025
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Early indications suggest they are still getting manhandled up front.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These two hurricanes come after Hurricane Erin lashed North Carolina's Outer Banks with rough waves and coastal flooding last month.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
4 Sep. 2025
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Some liberal commentators, however, have lashed out in response to the shooting, saying calls for prayer are tone deaf responses given the victims were inside a church.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maul. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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