MAIM Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'maim' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maim are batter , cripple , mangle , and mutilate . While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence. // maimed by a shark

Q: When would 'batter' be a good substitute for 'maim'?

The words batter and maim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate. // an old ship battered by fierce storms

Q: In what contexts can 'cripple' take the place of 'maim'?

The words cripple and maim can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg. // crippled for life in an accident

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mangle' instead of 'maim'?

In some situations, the words mangle and maim are roughly equivalent. However, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds. // a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Q: When can 'mutilate' be used instead of 'maim'?

Although the words mutilate and maim have much in common, 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

maim

verb

ˈmām

Definition of maim next

as in to incapacitate

to cause severe or permanent injury to on-the-job accidents maim far too many workers every year

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How does the verb maim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maim are batter, cripple, mangle, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When would batter be a good substitute for maim?

The words batter and maim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

In what contexts can cripple take the place of maim?

The words cripple and maim can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

When is it sensible to use mangle instead of maim?

In some situations, the words mangle and maim are roughly equivalent. However, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When can mutilate be used instead of maim?

Although the words mutilate and maim have much in common, 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

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 maim Philadelphia police are warning dog owners in Center City after a pit bull believed to belong to a homeless man was linked to multiple attacks on pets over the past week, leaving two dogs seriously injured and another permanently maimed. —

Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026 For decades, law enforcement officials have issued public pleas to revelers not to fire guns into the air on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, an annual phenomenon in some neighborhoods that has occasionally led to people being maimed or killed. —

James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026 Witnesses testifying at a June 1989 congressional hearing held by a subcommittee of the House Small Business Committee in Washington heard a litany of horror stories of patients maimed by surgeons with dubious training and credentials. —

Jason Kane, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025 The first and rarest category involved sotto voce confessions of personal tree-felling or maiming episodes. —

Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maim

Verb

In the first half of the Super Bowl against Cincinnati, Beckham suffered a complete ACL tear and was incapacitated.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The two climbers, 47 and 50 years old, were requesting assistance, saying they were incapacitated and unable to continue their route.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

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mails

maim

maimed

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“Maim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maim. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 16 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of maim

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