mayhem Definition
- 1violent or extreme disorder; chaos
- 2deliberate injury of someone, especially maiming; a violent event
Using mayhem: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mayhem" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The storm caused mayhem in the city.
Example
The football match ended in mayhem when fans invaded the pitch.
Example
The bank robbery resulted in mayhem and destruction.
Example
The accident caused mayhem on the highway.
mayhem Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using mayhem
Example
As soon as the referee blew the whistle, all hell broke loose and mayhem ensued on the football field.
go haywire/mayhem
to become out of control or chaotic
Example
The party went haywire/mayhem when the guests started drinking too much.
create a scene/mayhem
to cause a public disturbance or uproar
Example
The angry customer created a scene/mayhem in the restaurant when his order was wrong.
Phrases with mayhem
Example
The announcement created mayhem among the passengers waiting at the gate.
wreak havoc/mayhem
to cause widespread damage or destruction
Example
The hurricane wreaked havoc/mayhem on the coastal towns.
Example
The music festival was organised mayhem, with thousands of people dancing and singing to the music.
Origins of mayhem
from Old French 'mahaigne', meaning 'injury'
Summary: mayhem in Brief
The term 'mayhem' [ˈmeɪhɛm] refers to violent or extreme disorder, often resulting in chaos and confusion. It can also refer to deliberate injury or maiming of someone, exemplified by 'The bank robbery resulted in mayhem and destruction.' 'Mayhem' extends into phrases like 'create mayhem,' and idioms like 'all hell breaks loose/mayhem ensues,' denoting sudden chaos, and 'go haywire/mayhem,' implying loss of control.
