mutilate

verb

mu·​ti·​late ˈmyü-tə-ˌlāt How to pronounce mutilate (audio)
mutilated; mutilating; mutilates

transitive verb

1
: to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect
The child mutilated the book with his scissors.
a painting mutilated by vandals
2
: to cut off or cause severe damage to a limb or essential part of
His arm was mutilated in the accident.
mutilator noun
plural mutilators
Choose the Right Synonym for mutilate

maim, mutilate, mangle mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage.

maim implies the loss or injury of a body part.

maimed by a shark

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

mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Examples of mutilate in a Sentence

a painting mutilated by vandals was lucky not to be mutilated in the car crash
Recent Examples on the Web Women were mutilated as they were raped, and summarily executed. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2024 He’d been shot and mutilated in a manner that a cousin said reminded her of a horror movie. Brittany Morris, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2024 Videos of Israelis murdered and mutilated focused the sense of vulnerability — and identity — even among secular Israelis in ways that textbooks and grandparents’ stories never did. Itay Stern, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2024 In the five canonical crimes, for instance, the victims were all murdered and mutilated at night, in a manner that suggested the culprit was well-acquainted with anatomy. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024 In some cases, remains were charred and mutilated so badly identification was problematic. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 There have also been inmates who have mutilated themselves and at least two instances of women who gave birth without proper medical attention. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2024 Pantaleon was shot multiple times and his body was mutilated, the documents state. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023 According to first responders, one was mutilated with a pair of scissors and another stabbed with a knife. Anna Schecter, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mutilate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutilatus, past participle of mutilare, from mutilus truncated, maimed

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutilate was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near mutilate

Cite this Entry

“Mutilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutilate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mutilate

verb
mu·​ti·​late ˈmyüt-ᵊl-ˌāt How to pronounce mutilate (audio)
mutilated; mutilating
1
: to make imperfect by cutting or altering severely : ruin
mutilate a play
2
: to cut off or destroy a necessary part (as a limb) : maim
mutilation noun
mutilator noun

Medical Definition

mutilate

transitive verb
mu·​ti·​late ˈmyüt-ᵊl-ˌāt How to pronounce mutilate (audio)
mutilated; mutilating
: to cut off or cause severe damage to a limb or essential part of
mutilate a body

More from Merriam-Webster on mutilate

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