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maim

verb
\ ˈmām How to pronounce maim (audio) \
maimed; maiming; maims

Definition of maim

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to commit the felony of mayhem upon
2 : to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously

maim

noun

Definition of maim (Entry 2 of 2)

1 obsolete : serious physical injury especially : loss of a member of the body
2 obsolete : a serious loss
Other Words from maim Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about maim

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Other Words from maim

Verb

maimer noun

Choose the Right Synonym for maim

Verb

maim, cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle 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 cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg. crippled for life in an accident 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 batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate. an old ship battered by fierce storms mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds. a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Examples of maim in a Sentence

Verb

 The bomb killed 16 people and maimed several others. on-the-job accidents maim far too many workers every year

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 First, because the phrase trivializes the tens of millions of females who have been killed, maimed, or raped during actual wars. — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Avoid hype in editorializing about women’s health issues," 25 Aug. 2019 Nearly every other manufacturer of a machine that has the potential to kill or maim is forced to think about consumer safety. — Melissa Chan, Time, "Just About Everyone But the Gun Maker Gets Sued After a Mass Shooting," 20 Aug. 2019 The podcast tells the true story of former Dallas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, now serving a life sentence for intentionally maiming a patient during surgery. — Dan Singer, Dallas News, "Dallas' 'Dr. Death' is going Hollywood, with a new TV adaptation in the works," 12 Aug. 2019 But the fact is, people with guns kill, and maim and terrorize. — Sue Mcmillin, The Denver Post, "McMillin: America must reckon with the unfettered gun violence killing our children," 6 Aug. 2019 But when patients entered his operating room for complex, routine spinal surgeries and left permanently maimed or dead, victims piled up and two fellow surgeons and a young Assistant District Attorney set out to stop him. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, "Jamie Dornan, Alec Baldwin, Christian Slater cast in Dr. Death podcast adaptation series," 9 Aug. 2019 But when an article is this rich, moving, even profound, taking away its title would maim it. — Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, "The Lonely Work of Moderating Hacker News," 8 Aug. 2019 He had been accused of raping, maiming and murdering on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. — Jan Ransom, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump suggests Central Park 5 might still be guilty — even after they were exonerated," 18 June 2019 Most attackers’ aim, experts say, is not to kill, but to maim and embarrass. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: This cafe in India is fully run by acid attack survivors," 18 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of maim

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for maim

Verb and Noun

Middle English maymen, mahaymen, from Anglo-French maheimer, mahaigner — more at mayhem

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More Definitions for maim

maim

verb
How to pronounce maim (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of maim

: to injure (someone) very badly by violence

See the full definition for maim in the English Language Learners Dictionary

maim

verb
\ ˈmām How to pronounce maim (audio) \
maimed; maiming

Kids Definition of maim

: to injure badly or cripple by violence

maim

transitive verb
\ ˈmām How to pronounce maim (audio) \

Medical Definition of maim

1 : to commit the felony of mayhem upon
2 : to wound seriously : mutilate, disable

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maim

transitive verb
\ ˈmām

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