maul
3 synonyms for maul, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon.
“He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two.”
2. verb
To injure someone badly by tearing at them, typically said of an animal attack.
“The hiker was mauled by a bear after surprising it on the trail.”
How to use maul
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mauled by a dog
maul a critic
wield a maul
Etymology
From Old French mail, "hammer," going back to Latin malleus — the same root behind "malleable."
Full origin of maul →Frequently asked questions
What does “maul” mean?
The word “maul” means a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon. In plain terms, to attack and injure violently (like an animal mauling someone), or, as a noun, a heavy splitting hammer.
How do you pronounce “maul”?
“Maul” is pronounced mawl (/mɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “maul” in a sentence?
Here is “maul” used in a sentence: “He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two.”
What part of speech is “maul”?
Depending on how it is used, “maul” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “maul” come from?
The word “maul” comes from Latin. From Old French mail, "hammer," going back to Latin malleus — the same root behind "malleable.".
How many meanings does “maul” have?
“Maul” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon.
