maim
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for maim, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To injure someone so severely that part of their body is permanently damaged or disabled.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use maim
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
killed or maimed
maimed for life
maim and injure
A strong, serious word — usually appears in news reports of violence, accidents, or war, not everyday injuries.
Etymology
From Middle English maymen, from Anglo-Norman mahaigner — the same root that gives us "mayhem."
Full origin of maim →Frequently asked questions
What does “maim” mean?
The word “maim” means to injure someone so severely that part of their body is permanently damaged or disabled. In plain terms, to wound someone so badly that they lose the use of a limb or body part permanently.
How do you pronounce “maim”?
“Maim” is pronounced maym (/meɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “maim” in a sentence?
Here is “maim” used in a sentence: “The explosion maimed several bystanders.”
What part of speech is “maim”?
“Maim” is a verb.
Where does the word “maim” come from?
The word “maim” comes from Middle English. From Middle English maymen, from Anglo-Norman mahaigner — the same root that gives us "mayhem.".
