mauled

USAGE SUMMARY

"mauled" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been attacked or damaged with great force, usually with physical violence. Example: The poor dog had been mauled by a wild animal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the law of the jungle – the weak and frightened are pursued and mauled; the strong are respected and accommodated.

The Guardian

An American woman who was mauled to death by a lioness in a South Africa game preserve was "brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited", her family says.

The Guardian

He was 22.Mr Saltzman was mauled by a pit bull as a toddler and is "not altogether upstairs all the time", says his mother.

The Economist

Newspapers have taken to publishing white spaces where the censors have mauled their articles.

The Economist

Rocky Marciano, the only champion to be undefeated, stood a mere 5ft 10in (1.78Mike Tysonyson, at 6ft (1.83m), is smaller than almost all the men he has mauled.

The Economist

IN OLD-fashioned zoos, animals that mauled a keeper were taken away and shot.

The Economist

His proposed reform was duly mauled in the opposition-controlled Congress.

The Economist

Worse, they will have a president pulling one way and a reform-minded prime minister and government tugging the other.Mr Meciar, a brutish demagogue who mauled freedoms and mucked up the economy during his five years in charge, will certainly get a lot of votes.

The Economist

Seen by foreign investors as one of South Korea's bravest and best negotiators, Mr Oh was mauled in the local press last year for being easy on foreigners.

The Economist

Facing a barrage of stones, the protesters fled to a neighbouring square, only to be mauled by a mob wielding knives, clubs and chairs.

The Economist

But that applies equally to most professional equity-fund managers, who also fail on average to beat the market index.Day traders may be mauled if today's high share prices prove to be a stockmarket bubble (see article).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mauled" to describe situations involving a violent physical attack, severe damage, or harsh criticism. It conveys a sense of being overpowered and significantly harmed.

Common error

Avoid using "mauled" when describing minor setbacks or disagreements. The word carries a strong connotation of violence and severe damage, making it inappropriate for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mauled" is as the past participle of the verb "maul". It's often used in the passive voice to describe something that has been subjected to a violent attack or severe damage, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mauled" is a verb form denoting a violent attack, severe damage, or harsh criticism. Ludwig, confirms its proper grammatical use. As evidenced by the prevalence in News & Media sources, the word is commonly used to describe impactful events. While it can be used in various contexts, avoiding overuse in mild situations is advisable. Alternatives like "savagely attacked" or "severely criticized" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. The register is generally neutral, leaning towards formality. With a high expert rating and numerous real-world examples, "mauled" is a powerful and versatile word when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

savagely attacked

This alternative emphasizes the ferocity and brutality of the attack.

brutally assaulted

This phrase underscores the violent nature of the attack, focusing on physical harm.

severely criticized

This shifts the context from physical attack to harsh verbal or written criticism.

heavily damaged

This emphasizes the extent of the damage inflicted, whether physical or metaphorical.

badly beaten

Focuses on the physical harm and injuries sustained.

torn apart

This suggests a forceful separation or destruction, either physically or figuratively.

ripped to shreds

This emphasizes the thoroughness and violence of the destruction.

decimated

This implies a significant reduction or destruction in number or strength.

ravaged

This suggests widespread damage and destruction, often over a large area or scope.

lambasted

Implies strong verbal criticism or denunciation.

FAQs

How to use "mauled" in a sentence?

You can use "mauled" to describe something that has been violently attacked, severely damaged, or harshly criticized. For example, "The tax reform bill was "badly mauled" by lawmakers" or "The hiker was "severely mauled" by a bear".

What can I say instead of "mauled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "savagely attacked", "brutally assaulted", or "severely criticized". The best choice depends on whether you are referring to a physical attack, damage, or criticism.

Which is correct, "mauled by" or "mauled from"?

"Mauled" is typically followed by "by" to indicate the agent causing the attack or damage. "Mauled by" is the correct and more common usage.

What's the difference between "mauled" and "injured"?

"Mauled" implies a violent and damaging attack, often by an animal, while "injured" is a more general term for physical harm. Being "injured" can result from many causes, not necessarily a violent attack. "Mauled" suggests a more severe and brutal experience.