You use mayhem to refer to a situation that is not controlled or ordered, when people are behaving in a disorganized, confused, and often violent way.
Their arrival caused mayhem as crowds of people rushed towards them.
...the economic mayhem that this country's going through now.
Synonyms: chaos, trouble, violence, disorder More Synonyms of mayhem
mayhem in British English
or maihem (ˈmeɪhɛm)
noun
1. law
the wilful and unlawful infliction of injury upon a person, esp (formerly) the injuring or removing of a limb rendering them less capable of defending themselves against attack
2.
any violent destruction or confusion
Word origin
C15: from Anglo-French mahem injury, from Germanic; related to Icelandic meitha to hurt. See maim
mayhem in American English
(ˈmeɪhɛm; ˈmeɪəm)
noun
1. Law
the offense of maiming a person
; specif.,
a.
the intentional mutilation of another's body
b.
injury inflicted on another so as to cause loss of a bodily part or function necessary for self-defense
2.
any deliberate destruction or violence
Word origin
see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'mayhem' in a sentence
mayhem
They might think twice before spreading their own particular brand of mayhem and destruction.
The Sun (2016)
A revolt against a ruling liberal political class which has caused untold havoc at home and mayhem and murder abroad.
The Sun (2016)
Obviously there are people out there who are still intent on causing murder and mayhem.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This economic mayhem is taking its toll.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Will they find it in themselves to rebel one last time and cause mayhem?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Everything happens so quickly that a defence just one metre out of position can cause mayhem.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They just bring misery and mayhem.
The Sun (2009)
What mayhem will ensue this time?
The Sun (2007)
Poor voice acting and a rubbish storyline might be forgiven if the general mayhem on which it hinges delivered anything approaching fun.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He has left all kinds of damage, destruction and mayhem in his wake.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All these fools want to do is bring down this Government and bring about mayhem.
The Sun (2010)
The powerhouse City is seen as the cause of much of this economic mayhem.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When we were last in Weatherfield it was all murder and mayhem.
The Sun (2010)
It's impossible to predict what mayhem may ensue.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There it sat in its box, endless hours of murder and mayhem on offer.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
As usual, mayhem ensues - especially when the brothers try to pass themselves off as golfers too.
The Sun (2006)
In other languages
mayhem
British English: mayhem NOUN
You use mayhem to refer to a very disorganized or uncontrolled situation.
Their arrival caused mayhem as crowds of fans rushed towards them.
American English: mayhem
Brazilian Portuguese: caos
Chinese: 混乱
European Spanish: caos total
French: pagaille
German: Chaos
Italian: caos
Japanese: 大混乱
Korean: 대혼란
European Portuguese: caos
Latin American Spanish: caos total
Chinese translation of 'mayhem'
mayhem
(ˈmeɪhɛm)
n(u)
混乱(亂) (hùnluàn)
(noun)
Definition
any violent destruction or confusion
the economic mayhem that this country's going through now
Synonyms
chaos
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
trouble
Riot police are being deployed to prevent any trouble.
violence
disorder
The emergency room was in disorder.
destruction
the extensive destruction caused by the rioters
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
havoc (informal)
The overturned lorry wreaked havoc on the roads.
fracas
Several people were injured in the ensuing fracas.
commotion
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of commotion
Definition
noisy disturbance
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
Synonyms
disturbance,
to-do,
riot,
disorder,
excitement,
fuss,
turmoil,
racket,
upheaval,
bustle,
furore,
outcry,
uproar,
ferment,
agitation,
ado,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
hurly-burly,
brouhaha,
hullabaloo,
ballyhoo (informal),
hue and cry,
perturbation
in the sense of confusion
Definition
disorder
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
Synonyms
disorder,
chaos,
turmoil,
upheaval,
muddle,
bustle,
shambles,
disarray,
commotion,
disorganization,
disarrangement
in the sense of destruction
Definition
the act of destroying something or state of being destroyed
the extensive destruction caused by the rioters
Synonyms
ruin,
havoc,
wreckage,
crushing,
wrecking,
shattering,
undoing,
demolition,
devastation,
annihilation,
ruination
Nearby words of
mayhem
maximize
maximum
maybe
mayhem
maze
mazy
McCoy
Synonyms of 'mayhem'
mayhem
Explore 'mayhem' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disorder
Definition
a state of untidiness and disorganization
The emergency room was in disorder.
Synonyms
untidiness,
mess,
confusion,
chaos,
havoc (informal),
muddle,
state,
clutter,
shambles,
disarray,
jumble,
irregularity,
disorganization,
hotchpotch,
derangement,
hodgepodge,
pig's breakfast (informal),
disorderliness
in the sense of fracas
Definition
a noisy quarrel or fight
Several people were injured in the ensuing fracas.
Synonyms
brawl,
fight,
trouble,
row,
riot,
disturbance,
quarrel,
uproar,
skirmish,
scuffle,
free-for-all (informal),
rumpus,
aggro (slang),
affray,
shindig (informal),
donnybrook,
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
melee or mêlée,
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of havoc
Definition
chaos, disorder, and confusion
The overturned lorry wreaked havoc on the roads.
Synonyms
disorder,
confusion,
chaos,
disruption,
mayhem,
shambles
in the sense of trouble
Definition
a state of disorder, ill-feeling, or unrest
Riot police are being deployed to prevent any trouble.