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
Stephen Curry is still weightless mayhem along the perimeter, and the 37-year-old dropped a scintillant 42, then 35 points on back-to-back nights last week.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
When morality clauses first appeared in Hollywood in the 1920s, they were meant to protect studios from scandal—actors getting drunk, producers getting indicted, the usual mayhem.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
The kids run the film, and supernatural mayhem ensues.
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Bud’s presence adds just the right amount of menace and mystery to the mayhem — and earns him a Pink Panther-style nod in the closing credits.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mayhem
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
When morality clauses first appeared in Hollywood in the 1920s, they were meant to protect studios from scandal—actors getting drunk, producers getting indicted, the usual mayhem.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
The kids run the film, and supernatural mayhem ensues.
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Bud’s presence adds just the right amount of menace and mystery to the mayhem — and earns him a Pink Panther-style nod in the closing credits.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mayhem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mayhem
Noun
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The texts emerged as Republicans have sought to link Democrats’ rhetoric to acts of political violence, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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Jones faced calls from Republicans to drop out of the race in October after Jones' recent texting scandal, in which he was revealed to have called for violence against a Republican lawmaker.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Leone’s creation has gained a substantial cult following thanks to its throwback grindhouse aesthetics, nauseating practical effects, and unapologetic brutality.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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Despite a complete media and communications blackout, making specifics hard to determine, videos trickled out of El Fasher showing the brutality being unleashed on the civilian population.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tyson Kozak left the game with a lower-body injury after just three shifts.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That mixture of terror and safety is the secret sauce for Mike Jubie, creator of the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses in New York’s historic Hudson Valley.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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On the other, a vision of what life would be like without the terror group.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mayhem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mayhem. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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