maul

4 definitions • 5 examples

If an animal mauls someone, it attacks that person and injures them with its teeth or claws (= long sharp nails):

A small boy was mauled by the neighbour's dog.

to criticize something or someone severely:

Both films were mauled by the critics.

a group of players in rugby who are all together around a player with the ball off the ground:

Hill scored a try after ripping the ball out of a maul.

If the opposition can get their hands round the ball in a maul or ruck, it will be a huge gain to them.

to physically attack and badly hurt a person or animal:

A jogger was mauled by a huge bear.