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

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 He was previously charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (scissors) and assault with intent to maim, and he was convicted of arson. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 July 2026 Even in 2026, the category’s identity is anchored in infamous scenes of maiming, torture, and cathartic bloodshed. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Forget flowers, the men of dark romances maim as a grand gesture. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 July 2026 All of the 200 children and adolescents initially qualified for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; after the group’s fifth session, with war still killing and maiming their friends, only 30% qualified. — James Gordon, Time, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for maim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maim

Verb

Tasers are designed to incapacitate muscles through pulsed current generated between probes.

— Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Conclusion The world’s deadliest snakes use different biological weapons to incapacitate their victims.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Strikes over unpaid salaries, violent attacks on clinics and public mistrust fueled by misinformation are crippling fragile response efforts, as workers like Bondele keep showing up.

— Prosper Heri Ngorora, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Over the years this bag has crippled numerous hotel bellmen attempting to lift it.

— John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

While no civilians were injured, one firefighter was taken away for treatment of smoke inhalation and is in stable condition.

— Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
In Russian attacks elsewhere, local officials said that one person was killed and 15 people injured in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

Al-Nuzaili claimed that dozens of Houthi militants had been killed or wounded.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The office of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by attacking Israeli soldiers inside Lebanon, seriously wounding three.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of wound

Verb

Last week, prosecutors attempted to use electronic materials to lay out their theory that Clancy premeditated killing her three children.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Police have said that’s exactly what Fernandez Saldana tried to do in hiring a man to shoot and kill Bridegan.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of kill

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mails

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maimed

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“Maim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maim. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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