Maul

/mɔːl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A heavy hammer used for driving spikes or wedges.

The carpenter picked up the maul to drive the wooden stakes into the ground.

verb

To injure someone or something seriously by biting, clawing, or tearing.

The bear began to maul the unfortunate camper who had strayed too close.

To handle or treat something in a rough manner.

He seemed to maul the dough rather than knead it properly.

Middle English 'malen', from Old French 'mauler' meaning to bruise or handle roughly.

maul someone

To attack someone and cause severe injuries.

maul down

To cause to fall or be destroyed through violent attack.

mangle

To injure very seriously by cutting, tearing, or crushing.

brawl

A noisy fight in a crowd.

To mess up or ruin something.

He totally mauled the presentation with his mistakes.

To attack someone verbally.

She mauled his argument during the debate.