WordGarden.iomaul
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɔːl/
US
- /ˈmɔl/
Meanings
Verb
to wound someone or an animal badly by tearing, crushing, or repeated blows
to criticize someone or something very harshly
Noun
a heavy hammer used for driving stakes or splitting wood
in rugby, a phase where players bind around the ball carrier and drive forward
Beyond the definition
To maul something is not just to hit it. It is to hurt or damage it very badly in a rough, violent way. Think of a bear attacking its prey, biting, tearing, and leaving deep injuries. The word is often used for real physical attacks, especially by animals.
It can also be used in a figurative way. A bad review might maul a new movie, or one team might maul another in a game by beating them very easily. The word suggests strong violence or heavy damage, not a small or ordinary hit.
To maul means to attack someone or something with violent force and cause serious injury or damage. It suggests more than a simple hit. It often includes tearing, biting, crushing, or repeated heavy blows. For example, if a bear mauled a hiker, the image is of a savage attack that left the person badly hurt.
While most commonly used to describe attacks by animals (like bears, wolves, or lions), "maul" can also be applied figuratively. A harsh critique might "maul" someone's argument, leaving it in tatters. Or a team could "maul" their opponents on the football field, dominating them with relentless force.
The origin of the word lies in Old French, from a term for a heavy hammer, which fits the idea of powerful, repeated force. The word carries a strong sense of brutality and usually implies that the victim is left badly harmed, shaken, or defeated.
Unlike words like "hit" or "attack," which can be relatively mild, "maul" always suggests extreme violence and damage. So if something is being mauled, it's facing a ferocious and destructive onslaught.
Examples
- 1
Animal attack
A bear mauled a camper near the trail.
- 2
Dog attack
The child was mauled by a neighbor's dog before help arrived.
- 3
Workplace injury
His left hand was badly mauled in the factory accident.
- 4
Media criticism
The minister's proposal was mauled by the press.
- Phrasebe mauled by the press
be criticized very harshly
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sports defeat
United were mauled 5-0 in the final.
- Domainin sport, be mauled
lose very badly
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- maulverbnoun
Forms
- mauledpast tenseverbnoun
- mauling-ing formverbnoun
- maulsverbnoun