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View synonyms for

mayhem

[ mey-hem, mey-uhm ]

noun

  1. Law. the crime of willfully inflicting a bodily injury on another so as to make the victim less capable of self-defense or, under modern statutes, so as to cripple or mutilate the victim.
  2. random or deliberate violence or damage.
  3. a state of rowdy disorder:

    Antagonisms between the various factions at the meeting finally boiled over, and mayhem ensued.



mayhem

/ ˈɪɛ /

noun

  1. law the wilful and unlawful infliction of injury upon a person, esp (formerly) the injuring or removing of a limb rendering him less capable of defending himself against attack
  2. any violent destruction or confusion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of mayhem1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English maheym, maim, from Anglo-French mahe(i)m, mahaim, from Germanic; akin to Middle High German meidem “g徱Բ,” Old Norse meitha “to injure”; maim
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Word History and Origins

Origin of mayhem1

C15: from Anglo-French mahem injury, from Germanic; related to Icelandic meitha to hurt. See maim
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Wherever there's murder and mayhem," Wednesday reflects, "you will always find an Addams."

From

There have been scenes of traffic mayhem in the area in previous years, with vehicles double parked on nearby routes preventing emergency vehicles from getting through.

From

“I wanted to make a romantic gesture to you this year in these times of mayhem,” she told the crowd.

From

"This is the wildest episode of all, and we're lucky to have Graham adding to the mayhem."

From

The awkward compromise of delaying the ban until New Year's Eve 2026 has led to fears of a final night of legalised mayhem.

From

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mayhappenMayhew