as in violence
actions that hurt people and destroy things; a scene or situation that involves a lot of violence
Movies seem to be filled with murder and mayhem these days. a criminal who escaped from prison and caused mayhem
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mayhem
At least 10 officers were hurt in the mayhem, police said.
—
ABC News, 13 June 2026
The beloved community festival had drawn to a dour conclusion, after reports of fights and other mayhem.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Knicks lose, streets turn into mayhem Videos posted across social media showed chaos taking place in Manhattan after the game ended.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The mayhem delayed the start of the game 1 1/2 hours before a semblance of order was finally restored after dozens of arrests, injuries and ejections.
—Greg Cote
june 4, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mayhem
ABC News, 13 June 2026
The beloved community festival had drawn to a dour conclusion, after reports of fights and other mayhem.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Knicks lose, streets turn into mayhem Videos posted across social media showed chaos taking place in Manhattan after the game ended.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The mayhem delayed the start of the game 1 1/2 hours before a semblance of order was finally restored after dozens of arrests, injuries and ejections.
—Greg Cote
june 4, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mayhem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mayhem
Noun
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South African and Malawian authorities have been coordinating in recent weeks to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of Malawian citizens gathered at the site in Durban, claiming to flee anti-migrant tensions and fears of violence.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
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The attack on James came in the midst of a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, when there have been marches calling for immigrants in the country illegally to leave and reports of violence against some foreign nationals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Unfortunately, Florida’s leaders seem to have set their sights on any reminder that the state’s historic brutality should still inspire action today.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
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More than a decade later, Ike Barinholtz is opening up about the Police Academy reboot that was scrapped amid a rise in lethal police brutality.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Jonathan David scored three goals, but the match wasn't without a blemish, as Ismaël Koné suffered what appeared to be a potentially tournament-ending leg injury.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
In the end, reverence for the likes of Genghis Khan, Hitler, and Attila the Hun mistakes fear for respect, destruction for disruption, and raw terror for true greatness.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
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Set five years after the Ghostbusters took the Statue of Liberty for a walk, young, scrappy New Yorkers face a new wave of supernatural terror hitting the Big Apple.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
24 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mayhem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mayhem. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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