Definitions

maul

[mawl] / mɔl /

VERB

mangle, abuse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beat up bludgeon drub lacerate molest mug pummel rough up thrash trample

STRONG

bang bash batter beat buffet claw clean flagellate flail hit hurt ill-treat lash maltreat muscle paste paw pelt pound skin wax whip

WEAK

break face handle roughly knock about knock around lean on let have it put in the hospital take care of work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

protect

STRONG

aid assist help lose surrender

WEAK

guard maintain take care

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Bulls' afternoon worsened as a rolling maul resulted in a penalty try for the hosts and Ruan Nortje was yellow carded in the aftermath.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Wales stayed in the fight, and while usually conceding on the stroke of half-time, pulled one back off another well-worked driving maul, with Jones dotting down.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

True to last year's script it was the women in blue who struck first, their driving maul proving unstoppable, with Sgorbini claiming the bonus-point.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Quins had been warned over repeated infringements by referee Luc Ramos and when Will Evans was sin-binned, Sale took full advantage as Cowan-Dickie rumbled over at the back of a line-out maul.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Ole remembered him pounding home cedar posts for raspberry canes, standing in the bed of a pickup truck, shirtless, swinging a maul.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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