mutilation

noun

mu·​ti·​la·​tion ˌmyü-tə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce mutilation (audio)
plural mutilations
1
: an act or instance of destroying, removing, or severely damaging a limb or other body part of a person or animal
the mutilation of a body
They were men who had been sexually damaged by disease, accident, or deliberate mutilation.James J. O'Donnell
His book contains very many gruesome accounts of murder and mutilation, and page after page describing torture in almost salacious detail.Geoffrey Wheatcroft
see also female genital mutilation
2
: an act or instance of damaging or altering something radically
Evidence suggests that the mutilation of the sculptures was deliberate.
Thus an author has the right of paternity (authorship) and integrity (the right to object to derogatory actions, distortion, mutilation or other modifications in relation to his or her work that would be prejudicial to the artist's honor or reputation).Judith Nierman
Critics described the proposed structure as a "vast pile of masonry" that they feared would never be removed and would become a "permanent mutilation of Hyde Park."Henry Petroski

Examples of mutilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Things like pro-gender transition propaganda in schools, mutilation of children, and claims that there are a myriad of sexes are out of favor in the age of common sense. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 Carey Dale Grayson, now 49, was one of four teenagers convicted of capital murder in the torture, bludgeoning and mutilation of Vickie Lynn Deblieux on Feb. 21, 1994. Marty Roney, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 But in describing the attacks, language itself performs its own secondary mutilation. Katie Kitamura, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 It’s repeatedly described as chemical and surgical mutilation, or as maiming and sterilizing kids. Elana Redfield, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mutilation

Word History

First Known Use

1517, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutilation was in 1517

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Cite this Entry

“Mutilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutilation. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

mutilation

noun
mu·​ti·​la·​tion ˌmyüt-ᵊl-ˈā-shən How to pronounce mutilation (audio)
1
: deprivation of a limb or essential part especially by excision
the mutilation of a body
2
: an instance of mutilating

More from Merriam-Webster on mutilation

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