maul 1 of 2

verb

Definition of maulnext
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

maul

2 of 2

noun

as in hammer

Related Words

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
Australia’s other fatal shark attack this year occurred in January, when a 12-year-old boy died in a hospital days after he was mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor. — ABC News, 13 June 2026 Chris Brown was seated at the defense table in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday, poised to testify at his dog-mauling trial, when the judge declared a mistrial due to juror misconduct. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 June 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
  1. abuse
  2. lick
  3. hammer
  4. attack
  5. pound
  6. sledgehammer
  7. manhandle
  8. lash
Verb
  • For more on how attackers can abuse connected devices, see our report on how the FBI warned that more than 1 million Android devices were hijacked by malware.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Some dogs fear brooms, vacuum cleaners or other household products, particularly if they’ve been hurt or abused in the past.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • In the end, none of them were fit to lick the boots of Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800.
    — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • But the Carolinas have their own ways of making barbecue finger-licking.
    — Amethyst Ganaway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of lick
Noun
  • The same year, an intruder broke into the Pelosis' home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, fracturing his skull.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Cognac Ultra Rare Red was not far behind with a hammer sale of $20,000.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 July 2026
Definition of hammer
Verb
  • According to court documents reviewed by The Times, the model alleges that Sandoval shoved her down a flight of stairs in his home, pushed her to the ground at a hotel in Nashville, and attacked her and her father on June 3.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Electing to keep his No 5 on the field, the Brazil head coach made a subtle tactical tweak that saw Endrick enter the action and brought Matheus Cunha further to the left flank — which unlocked the attacking prowess of Vinicius Junior.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • The heart-pounding encounter ended with the calf reunited with its mother, dramatic photos on a cellphone — and the couple continuing on to catch brook trout.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Dansby Swanson hit three home runs, including a grand slam, Michael Conforto homered twice and the Chicago Cubs pounded the San Diego Padres 23-3 on Wednesday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of pound
Noun
  • But this fiscal sledgehammer is not the solution.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • In the 12th, a combo of sledgehammer rights sent Louis to the canvas for good, his first time being knocked out.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Definition of sledgehammer
Verb
  • 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
  • Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of manhandle
Verb
  • Ukrainian officials have warned residents to guard against further strikes as Russia lashes out.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 2 July 2026
  • Many on the right lashed out at conservative justices who joined the majority decision.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of lash

Browse Nearby Words

maudlin
maul
mauled
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Cite this Entry

“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maul. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on maul

Nglish: Translation of maul for Spanish Speakers

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