MAUL Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

maul 1 of 2

verb

Definition of maul

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

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly the irate store owner was mauling the shoplifter when the police showed up

Synonyms & Similar Words

maul

2 of 2

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 maul

Verb

Gunther slowed the match down, mauling Aldis and sending him flying into the corner. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The Patriots aren’t good enough yet to maul people up front, but must become more efficient and balanced offensively as the postseason showed. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026

Noun

The half ended with the Free Jacks once again putting the Sabercats under pressure, trying to force their way over the tryline through a rolling maul, and twice failing to score. — Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Minutes later, Hanover scored back-to-back tries with near identical mauls down the sideline. — Marcello Rossetti, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for maul

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maul

Verb

Jarrett, the elder brother, was eventually taken in by a man who later abused him, a victimizer who then set his sights on Baylon.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
Market power can be abused, and a transaction involving companies this significant deserves careful regulatory scrutiny.

— Cory Jacobson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Photos like the one below show children licking massive ice blocks for a slight reprieve from the summer heat.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lick

Noun

The Citrus Heights Police Department said on Monday that officers responded Sunday afternoon to a report of a man running from the mall with a bag and hammer following a robbery at a Kay Jewelers store.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Hammerheads stand out from other shark species by the distinctive shape of their heads, which stick out perpendicular to their bodies in the shape of, well, a hammer.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of hammer

Verb

Another warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries was also attacked to the east of Moscow, Vorobyov said, with a fire breaking out at the facility.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Crossing threat Undoubtedly, Coventry’s best attacking moments come from wide positions.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Communities still recovering from last weekend’s hurricane in Hawaii could get pounded again in coming days from another tropical system gaining strength over warm Pacific waters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Jay Lucarelli, 31, sat with his MacBook at the kitchen table in his mother’s home in Jackson Township, Ohio, pounding fastballs and energy drinks.

— Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of pound

Noun

With heavy machinery in short supply, a volunteer worker wields a sledgehammer in the search of bodies at the complex.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
In the ensuing team meeting, both players had to hold a sledgehammer in each hand with their arms straight out.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sledgehammer

Verb

His hands and ability to manhandle blockers made him among the best defensive players in the West Valley League.

— Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 31 July 2026
During this stretch, the Colts will face three AFC opponents, including the Steelers, who manhandled them last year and forced Jones to commit a career-high five turnovers in a loss.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Definition of manhandle

Browse Nearby Words

maudlin

maul

mauled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maul. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of maul

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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