mangle

[ mang-guhl ]

See synonyms for: mangle mangled on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),man·gled, man·gling.

to injure severely, disfigure, or mutilate by cutting, slashing, or crushing: The coat sleeve was mangled in the gears of the machine.
to spoil or ruin; mar badly: The story was mangled by a clumsy translation.

Origin of mangle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French mangler, perhaps dissimilated variant of Old French mangonner “to mangle”; akin to mangonel

synonym study For mangle

1. See maim.

Other words for mangle

2	deface; destroy

See synonyms for mangle on Thesaurus.com

Other words from mangle

mangler, noun

Other definitions for mangle (2 of 2)

mangle²

[ mang-guhl ]

noun

a machine for smoothing or pressing clothes, household linen, etc., by means of heated rollers.

verb (used with object),man·gled, man·gling.

to smooth or press with a mangle.
Metalworking. to squeeze (metal plates) between rollers.

Origin of mangle

1765–75; <Dutch mangel ≪ Late Latin manganum.See mangonel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mangle in a sentence

Despite some very talented speechwriters, George W. Bush was a devoted mangler of the language, something of a family tradition.
From ‘Potatoe’ to ‘Amercia’: Politicos Preserve Disorder | Ben Jacobs | May 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
“Trucks” and “The Mangler” are Arthur C. Clarke specials: machines on the rampage.
Great New Reads | The Daily Beast | October 31, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
Guy Mangler had only three minutes to reëstablish an interrupted acquaintance with our young lady.
The Real Thing and Other Tales | Henry James
Mr. Mangler did nothing but say how charming he thought his hostess of the Sunday, and what a tremendously jolly visit he had had.
The Real Thing and Other Tales | Henry James
Mr. Mangler sat down; he alluded with artless resentment to the way, in July, the door of his friends had been closed to him.
The Real Thing and Other Tales | Henry James

The picture-mangler is explained by a marginal note to be, "the rascal, that cut the Duke of York's picture."
The Works Of John Dryden, Vol. 7 (of 18) | John Dryden
She had to reflect that one does what one can and that Mr. Mangler probably thought he was delicate.
The Real Thing and Other Tales | Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for mangle (1 of 2)

mangle¹

/ (ˈmæŋɡəl) /

verb(tr)

to mutilate, disfigure, or destroy by cutting, crushing, or tearing
to ruin, spoil, or mar

Origin of mangle

C14: from Norman French mangler, probably from Old French mahaignier to maim

Derived forms of mangle

mangler, noun
mangled, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for mangle (2 of 2)

mangle²

/ (ˈmæŋɡəl) /

noun

Also called: wringer a machine for pressing or drying wet textiles, clothes, etc, consisting of two heavy rollers between which the cloth is passed

verb(tr)

to press or dry in a mangle

Origin of mangle

C18: from Dutch mangel, ultimately from Late Latin manganum. See mangonel

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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