mutilation crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the "mutilation crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you back on track.
Solutions for "mutilation crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
WOUND: A general term for a type of injury caused by mutilation.
6 Letters
INJURY: A broader term encompassing harm, often a result of mutilation.
7 Letters
MAIMING: The act of inflicting a permanent disabling injury, a direct form of mutilation.
10 Letters
AMPUTATION: The surgical removal of a limb or body part, a specific severe form of mutilation.
13 Letters
DISFIGUREMENT: Damage to the appearance of something, a common outcome of mutilation.
More About "mutilation crossword clue"
The term "mutilation" in a crossword puzzle often points to words describing severe damage, alteration, or disfigurement, particularly to a living body or an object. Clues might focus on the act itself, the result of the act, or a specific type of irreversible damage. The context of the puzzle and any accompanying clues are vital for narrowing down the exact answer.
Common themes include physical injury, destruction, or defacement. Understanding the nuances between synonyms like "wound," "injury," "maiming," and more specific terms like "amputation" can be the key to selecting the correct answer based on the letter count and intersecting words. Crossword setters love to play with these subtle differences.
When encountering such a clue, consider the severity implied and whether the answer should be a verb, noun, or an adjective. For "mutilation" as a noun, answers will typically be other nouns describing the act or its outcome, as demonstrated in our solutions above.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "mutilation," consider the specific type or degree of harm implied. Is it general injury, or something more permanent and disfiguring?
- Check Letter Count First: Always use the known letter count as your primary filter. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and guides your thought process.
- Look for Wordplay or Anagrams: While less common for direct synonyms, sometimes a clue like "mutilation" might hint at an anagram of related letters or a play on words that sounds similar.
- Confirm with Crossing Letters: Never commit to an answer without verifying it with all intersecting letters from other clues. This is the ultimate test of correctness.
- Consider Common Crossword Synonyms: Over time, you'll learn that certain words frequently appear as answers for similar clues. Build your mental dictionary of crossword-friendly vocabulary.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What common themes or wordplay are associated with 'mutilation' in crosswords?
Crossword clues involving 'mutilation' often play on synonyms like 'maim,' 'disfigure,' 'injure,' or the results of such actions like 'wound' or 'damage.' Sometimes, it might involve wordplay on terms related to cutting or severe alteration.
How can the number of letters help solve 'mutilation crossword clue'?
Knowing the exact number of letters is crucial. For instance, a 5-letter answer might be 'WOUND,' while a 7-letter one could be 'MAIMING.' This helps narrow down possibilities significantly when combined with other crossing letters.
Are there any common prefixes or suffixes for 'mutilation' in crosswords?
While 'mutilation' itself is a root, related terms might use prefixes like 'dis-' (e.g., disfigure) or suffixes like '-ing' (e.g., maiming) or '-ment' (e.g., disfigurement) to fit different word lengths and grammatical forms required by the puzzle.