SKIP TO CONTENT

mangled

Something that's mangled is damaged or even ruined from being crushed, torn, or sliced. Your recycling bin will be full of mangled soda cans if you stomp on them with your work boots before tossing them in.

Cars can be mangled after a bad accident, and even buildings might be mangled after an explosion. Mangled debris may mark the site of a bomb or plane crash. You can also use this adjective figuratively, to mean "ruined," like when you perform a mangled rendition of your favorite song at the school talent show. Mangled comes from the Old French mangoner, "cut to pieces."

Definitions of mangled
  1. adjective
    having edges that are jagged from injury
    synonyms: lacerate, lacerated, torn
    injured
    harmed
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘mangled'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family