mauled: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to informal (depending on context); often used in journalistic or narrative contexts.
Quick answer
What does “mauled” mean?
Attacked and severely injured by an animal, causing deep wounds or tearing of flesh.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Attacked and severely injured by an animal, causing deep wounds or tearing of flesh.
To be roughly handled, severely criticized, or soundly defeated; to suffer heavy damage or harm, either physically or metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Both varieties use it primarily for animal attacks and metaphorical defeats.
Connotations
Equally vivid and violent in both varieties. Perhaps slightly more common in British media for sports metaphors (e.g., 'the team was mauled').
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both. Slightly higher in news reports about animal attacks or one-sided competitions.
Grammar
How to Use “mauled” in a Sentence
Subject + be/get + mauled + (by + animal/person/group)Subject + maul + objectVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mauled” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lion mauled the zookeeper before being sedated.
- The PM was mauled by the opposition during Prime Minister's Questions.
American English
- A grizzly bear mauled the hiker in Yellowstone.
- The rookie quarterback was mauled by the veteran defence.
adjective
British English
- The mauled remains were found by a walker.
- He gave a mauled performance in the interview.
American English
- The mauled victim was airlifted to hospital.
- The mauled proposal was withdrawn from the committee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The startup was mauled by the competition.'
Academic
Very rare except in biological/zoological case studies.
Everyday
Used for serious animal attack reports or describing a very bad defeat in games/sports.
Technical
Used in wildlife management, veterinary medicine, and forensic reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mauled”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mauled”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mauled”
- Using 'mauled' for minor scratches or arguments. Confusing it with 'molded' (formed). Incorrect: 'He mauled the ball' (should be 'he fumbled/dropped the ball').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's possible but unusual and highly metaphorical, implying an animal-like ferocity (e.g., 'The boxer mauled his opponent'). Typically, it's reserved for animal attacks.
'Attacked' is general. 'Mauled' specifically implies tearing/clawing, often by an animal. 'Savaged' is even stronger and more brutal than 'mauled'.
Most common in passive ('was mauled'), but active voice is possible for the animal/aggressor ('The dog mauled the child').
Metaphorically, yes (e.g., 'The document was mauled by the editing committee' meaning heavily and roughly criticized/edited).
Attacked and severely injured by an animal, causing deep wounds or tearing of flesh.
Mauled is usually formal to informal (depending on context); often used in journalistic or narrative contexts. in register.
Mauled: in British English it is pronounced /mɔːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɔːld/ or /mɑːld/ (depending on regional vowel). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(metaphorical) thrown to the lions/wolves and mauled”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAUL (a heavy hammer) – being MAULED feels like being hit by a heavy, crushing, tearing force.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM/DEFEAT IS A PHYSICAL ATTACK BY A WILD ANIMAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is 'mauled' used MOST appropriately?