i Register
In some senses, mayhem is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
mayhem
UK /ˈmeɪ̯ˌhɛm/ US /ˈmeɪəm/
noun 4verb 1
Collocations
5ADJ.
all, complete
VERB + MAYHEM
aggravated, born, cause, let, reason
MAYHEM + NOUN
children
PREP.
in, into
ADV.
such
Definitions
noun
1
A state or situation of great confusion, disorder, trouble or destruction; chaos.
to cause mayhem
What if the legendary hero Robin Hood had been born into the mayhem of the 20th century?
2
Infliction of violent injury on a person or thing.
The fighting dogs created mayhem in the flower beds.
This same man,[…], beat himself weary upon me with a raw hide, I not resisting, and then pantingly threatened me with permanent disfiguring mayhem, if ever again I should introduce his name into print, […]
3
The maiming of a person by depriving them of the use of any of their limbs which are necessary for defense or protection.
to commit mayhem
There is a story told of a case where a notorious character was charged with the unusual crime of “mayhem”—biting off another man's finger. The defendant's counsel secured adjournment after adjournment—no one knew why.
4
The crime of damaging things or harming people on purpose.
verb
1
To commit mayhem.
the king shal punish him for mayheming of his subject
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — violent and needless disturbance
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
to cause mayhem
Wiktionary02
What if the legendary hero Robin Hood had been born into the mayhem of the 20th century?
Wiktionary03
In all the mayhem, some children were separated from their parents.
Wiktionary04
the king shal punish him for mayheming of his subject
Wiktionary05
There is no reason for such mayhem.
Tatoeba · #250331906
Let the mayhem begin.
Tatoeba · #4496008Usage Notes
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