mutilation
noun
mu·ti·la·tion
ˌmyü-tə-ˈlā-shən
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
Cite this Entry
“Mutilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutilation. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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