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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maul
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The wild animals mauled and injured multiple cast members; in one instance, Diaz had to stop director Noel Marshall from internally bleeding.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for maul
Verb
Suffice it to say, sweet Amy getting mauled to death rattles everyone at the Ridge.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The wild animals mauled and injured multiple cast members; in one instance, Diaz had to stop director Noel Marshall from internally bleeding.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
John Franklin-Myers mauls RT Rosengarten and gets sack, knocking Baltimore out of FG position.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for maul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maul
Verb
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Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The officer laughed and explained that someone had called in a report about a canine possibly being abused or in need of emergency veterinary care due to the noise.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
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The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Gaston suffered seven hammer blows to the head and lost a liter of blood but survived.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
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An Arizona man allegedly confessed to killing his parents in a 911 call after attacking them with a hammer and knife, according to court documents.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trump has also threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The school had also employed about two dozen teachers and administrative staff, many of whom were young graduates in their 20s now without an income – at a time when their nation’s already struggling economy has been further pounded by war.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Wild video captured the moment a young fisherman plunged into pounding Southern California surf to wrestle a thrashing shark and free it from his fishing line.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For 30 minutes, a patron can use a sledgehammer or crow bar to smash TVs, keyboards, printers, beer bottles, plates and old phones.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Eckert instructed the dads and sons to run a few hundred yards with kettlebells, sledgehammers, and sandbags, then to smash open the sandbags.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But this year’s edition could be the best one yet, and the Wolverines will get a chance to prove that next week in Indianapolis after manhandling Tennessee 95-62 yesterday at the United Center to clinch a spot in the Final Four.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Illini literally soaked in the celebration Thursday night after manhandling hometown favorite Houston to advance to the Elite 8 for the second time in three years.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yet Floyd doesn’t flee or lash out.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trump has repeatedly lashed out at allies for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz; the UK is hosting talks with dozens of nations Thursday aimed at forming a coalition focused on that goal.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maul. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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