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

Few fishing experiences rival the rush of easing close to hundreds of seabirds swooping and diving on baitfish being herded and mauled by a school of slashing striped bass. — Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Gunther slowed the match down, mauling Aldis and sending him flying into the corner. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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

The City Council instructed the city attorney to regulate phenibut, a drug that’s available at gas stations and being abused as a nervous system depressant.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.

— Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
One act featured two young women sitting on the stage and licking orange Popsicles (yes, that was the whole act).

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

In Iran, Afghans have been attacked by mobs and baselessly accused of collaborating with Israel; some legal residents have had police tear up their documents in front of them.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Sarajevans still remember his commands to the Serb gunmen pounding the Bosnian capital in early 1992.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Deadly landslides struck Southern and Central California, wiping out hillside homes, and powerful waves pounded the state’s shoreline.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pound

Noun

However, according to the report, violence is increasing in museum thefts, with thieves using instruments such as dynamite, guns, and sledgehammers to gain access to treasures and deter employees from interfering.

— News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026
But because the perpetrators smashed through the business’ front window, either with a vehicle or sledgehammer, that damage alone cost about $1,000 each time, Mullen said.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of sledgehammer

Verb

The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
New England lost in demoralizing fashion to the Seahawks last February, 29-13, as the Seattle defense manhandled the Patriots’ offense.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of manhandle

Verb

In the same series of Sunday morning posts, the president also lashed out at Kristen Welker, the moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, for saying his endorsements of Republican candidates in primary elections this year had shown mixed results.

— Jeff Mason, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Workers lashed the broad branches together with steel cables and chains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of lash

Browse Nearby Words

maudlin

maul

mauled

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Cite this Entry

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“Maul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maul. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of maul

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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