mangle
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for mangle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To damage something badly by crushing, tearing, or cutting it out of shape.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 mangle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mangled beyond recognition
a mangled wreck
put through the mangle
Etymology
From an Anglo-Norman word meaning "to cut to pieces" or "to mutilate," ultimately of Germanic origin, related distantly to "mayhem."
Full origin of mangle →Frequently asked questions
What does “mangle” mean?
The word “mangle” means to damage something badly by crushing, tearing, or cutting it out of shape. In plain terms, to wreck or badly damage something through crushing or careless handling — or, as a noun, the old-fashioned wringer used for laundry.
How do you pronounce “mangle”?
“Mangle” is pronounced MANG-gl (/ˈmæŋ.ɡ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “mangle” in a sentence?
Here is “mangle” used in a sentence: “The car door was mangled in the crash.”
What part of speech is “mangle”?
Depending on how it is used, “mangle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “mangle” come from?
The word “mangle” comes from Germanic. From an Anglo-Norman word meaning "to cut to pieces" or "to mutilate," ultimately of Germanic origin, related distantly to "mayhem.".
How many meanings does “mangle” have?
“Mangle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to damage something badly by crushing, tearing, or cutting it out of shape.
