mayhem

/ˈmeɪhem/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmeɪhem/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmā-ˌhem ˈmā-əm/ (ame, mw)

mayhem — noun

1. a wild, noisy, and uncontrolled situation in which people behave in a disorderly

1.名詞B2
釋義

a wild, noisy, and uncontrolled situation in which people behave in a disorderly way, often because of a sudden event or violent action

例句

Students rushed toward the exits in absolute mayhem when the fire alarm went off.

uncountable noun with 'absolute' intensifier

A fight between two players caused the stadium to descend into mayhem within seconds.

collocation: descend into mayhem

同義詞
  • chaos

    the most general term for complete disorder; mayhem adds a connotation of violence or destructive behaviour

  • pandemonium

    emphasises the loud, noisy aspect of the disorder more strongly than mayhem

  • havoc

    focuses on widespread damage and destruction; often used in 'wreak havoc'

反義詞
  • order

    the opposite of any kind of disorder or confusion

  • calm

    a state of peace and quiet, the opposite of noisy confusion

用法筆記

Often used with intensifying adjectives such as absolute, complete, total, or pure. The phrase 'descend into mayhem' is a common fixed expression.

常見錯誤

❌There was many mayhem at the airport.
✅There was a lot of mayhem at the airport.
💡mayhem is uncountable and cannot be used with 'many'.
❌The children made mayhem in the classroom.
✅The children caused mayhem in the classroom.
💡the correct verb is 'cause' or 'create', not 'make'.

2. the crime of deliberately and permanently hurting someone by damaging or removin

2.名詞C2
釋義

the crime of deliberately and permanently hurting someone by damaging or removing a part of their body, such as an arm, a leg, or an eye

例句

The attacker was charged with mayhem after the victim lost the use of his right hand permanently.

legal usage: charged with mayhem

In some states, a conviction for mayhem can lead to a prison sentence of up to twenty years.

同義詞
  • maiming

    a more general term for the act of injuring someone permanently; mayhem is the specific legal charge

  • mutilation

    focuses on the damage or disfigurement to the body rather than the legal charge

用法筆記

This is the original, historical sense of the word and is now almost exclusively used in legal contexts. The common everyday sense (sense 1) has largely replaced it in general usage.

常見錯誤

❌The thief committed mayhem when he stole the car.
✅The thief caused mayhem when he stole the car.
💡the legal sense of mayhem refers specifically to maiming, not general crime; use sense 1 for general disorder.
❌He was convicted of mayhem for breaking someone's finger.
✅He was convicted of mayhem for cutting off someone's hand.
💡mayhem requires permanent and severe injury to a major body part.