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
However merry the mayhem of the movie dorm on Broadway, the sustainability of it all was starting to seem questionable.
—
Lena Dunham, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
He was known for his frequent yelling, a dose of mayhem, and a focus on perfection - all wrapped up in sweetness.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
But spring temperatures have a way of encouraging mayhem, and new bars are sprouting like weeds.
—Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mayhem
Lena Dunham, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
He was known for his frequent yelling, a dose of mayhem, and a focus on perfection - all wrapped up in sweetness.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
But spring temperatures have a way of encouraging mayhem, and new bars are sprouting like weeds.
—Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mayhem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mayhem
Noun
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The records also show Renfro is facing several other charges from previous cases, including assault causing bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury-family violence, evading arrest or detention, and continuous violence against the family.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Good Friday is a day to recognize the brutality of the Roman practice of crucifying criminals and to reflect with sincerity on the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for the world.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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All are committed to the principles of the 1979 revolution and will rule with greater brutality given their lack of legitimacy.—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Doncic left the game with a left hamstring injury in the middle of the third quarter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The neighbor was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, which included a broken leg.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The most violent and thuggish regime on earth would be free to carry out their campaigns of terror, coercion, conquest, and mass murder from behind a nuclear shield.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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By 1944, when much of the city lay in ruins, the terror spread.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mayhem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mayhem. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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