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Definition of mutilate

mutilate

/ˈmjuːtɪleɪt/
mu · ti · late
Adjective:mutilated
•
Past Simple:mutilated
•
Past Participle:mutilated
•
Present Participle:mutilating
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mutilate Lexical Profile

mutilate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To inflict a severe, disfiguring injury upon a person or animal, especially by cutting off or destroying an essential limb or body part.

Example

"The veterinary clinic worked tirelessly to rehabilitate stray animals that had been injured or mutilated by traps."

2

To ruin, deface, or severely damage a text, work of art, or physical object by removing or altering vital parts.

Example

"The careless editor managed to mutilate the author's original manuscript by cutting out several crucial chapters."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for mutilate

• Nearby Words

mutedly
mutely
muteness
mutilate
mutilation
mutilator
mutineer

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 16th century from Latin mutilatus, the past participle of mutilare ('to cut off' or 'to maim'), which derives from the adjective mutilus meaning 'maimed' or 'lopped'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mutilate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mutilate
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