Mutilate: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'mutilate' when talking about severe physical damage, often involving injury or disfigurement that is difficult to repair. This word often carries a negative or violent connotation.

• The criminal's intent was to mutilate his victim
• The statue was mutilated beyond recognition during the riot

Use 'mangle' for severe damage that involves crushing, twisting, or tearing. This word is often used for objects and can carry a violent implication when describing injuries to living beings.

• The car was mangled in the crash
• The machine malfunctioned and mangled the fabric

Use 'maim' when describing serious injury that causes permanent loss of a body part or function, often in a violent context. This term carries a negative and severe implication.

• The explosion maimed several workers
• He was maimed for life after the accident

Use 'damage' for more general harm or injury to an object, structure, or sometimes an abstract concept. It does not necessarily imply total destruction or irreparable harm.

• The car sustained some damage in the accident
• The heavy rains damaged the crops

Use 'destroy' when you want to indicate that something has been ruined completely, with nothing usable left. This word implies total annihilation.

• The fire destroyed the entire building
• The floods destroyed many homes in the region