mangle

verb

ˈmaŋ-gəl How to pronounce mangle (audio)
Definition of manglenext
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way you've mangled this so badly that we'll have to do it over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mangle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mangle are batter, cripple, maim, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When would batter be a good substitute for mangle?

Although the words batter and mangle have much in common, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

When could cripple be used to replace mangle?

While in some cases nearly identical to mangle, cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

When is maim a more appropriate choice than mangle?

The meanings of maim and mangle largely overlap; however, maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

Where would mutilate be a reasonable alternative to mangle?

The synonyms mutilate and mangle are sometimes interchangeable, but mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function.

a tree mutilated by inept pruning

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mangle His past and present were mangled and fabricated online. —Jim Warren, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 The blast left a car behind the clinic mangled and killed a person tentatively identified as Bartkus. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 In our very own century, a president of the United States has mangled the meaning of witch hunt beyond anything but self-pitying victimhood. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2025 McCarthy gives a great performance, playing up the press secretary’s more boorish traits as a gum-guzzling loudmouth that mangles words and twists facts like pretzels. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mangle
  1. fumble
  2. blow
  3. dub
  4. ruin
  5. botch
  6. butcher
  7. bungle
  8. destroy
Verb
  • But then Superman lost flight and Warners fumbled the lucrative Reeve franchise greatly.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 8 July 2025
  • Ferguson couldn't find the end zone once, and even fumbled the ball four times, after preventing fumbles entirely during his first two seasons in the league.
    — Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Kaus was setting up the umbrella when a gust of wind blew her off a lifeguard stand, dropping her on the point end of the 1-inch metal pole, NJ.com reported.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2025
  • In the marquee Challenger matchup of the weekend, a rematch of the Mid-Season final, Las Vegas blew the doors off of Nashville.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Two men of strikingly disparate height are dubbed Mutt and Jeff.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
  • The announcement is the latest stepping stone of a 2021 $2.3 billion partnership dubbed Ultium Cells.
    — Stuart Dyos, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
Definition of dub
Verb
  • Some adults agreed, but others made comments about me ruining the mood.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Cops are looking for a man who rammed into six people after botching a turn at an intersection in the Bronx, authorities said Wednesday.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
  • Prominent conservatives are sounding political alarms for President Donald Trump, accusing the Justice Department of botching a review and release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
Definition of botch
Verb
  • Acheulean tools were known for more refined hand axes that had a pear or teardrop shape and were better at butchering wild game.
    — Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
  • For nearly half a century, Iran has been a thorn in the side of the world, killing and maiming American soldiers, butchering Israeli citizens, threatening its neighbors and fostering terror around the world.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025
Definition of butcher
Verb
  • The same is true for the United States, which leads in oil and gas production but has bungled its position in clean energy thanks to political dysfunction.
    — Wal van Lierop, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • By the time Corbin filed a complaint to the Florida Bar on July 17, 2023, Stealth Supply had filed a complaint to the Florida Bar that Mullins bungled, then abandoned their case.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
Definition of bungle
Verb
  • In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.
    — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • When the Silver Surfer arrives in New York to destroy the final teleportation tower, Johnny plays those traumatic recordings over speakers in Earth-828's version of Times Square, hoping to appeal to her empathy.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of destroy

Browse Nearby Words

manfully
mangle
mangled
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Cite this Entry

“Mangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mangle. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of mangle for Spanish Speakers

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