1
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the most hurtful thing you can do to this silk dress is put it in the dryer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
her ex-husband said hurtful things that she could never forgive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hurtful
Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.
—
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
There were some things that were said publicly that were hurtful, but sometimes relationships are rocky like that.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
Barajas said the news is hurtful to the program and the future of diversity on campus.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
There were some things that were said publicly that were hurtful, but sometimes relationships are rocky like that.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
Barajas said the news is hurtful to the program and the future of diversity on campus.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
-
This vaporized the harmful metals in the red mud, and left behind a purified compound rich in aluminum.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2025
-
No one has gotten sick, but lead can be harmful to young children’s development.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In other words, the more painful the cry sounded, the warmer the listener's face became—and the effect was the same for both men and women.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Queen could have surgery to remove bunions, but has been warned against it as the surgery is too painful.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Research is also abundant on the long-term detrimental impact of childhood trauma on a person’s mental and physical health through their adult life.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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It can be gone in the blink of an eye, so to spend it on people that aren’t fulfilling me and to spend it on work that isn’t fulfilling me, to spend it on anything that isn’t fulfilling, is detrimental to him.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The cruel irony is that the very systems designed to promote inclusion can inadvertently reinforce exclusion.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump is never shy of responding to criticism that is damaging to him from any source.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Historical accounts include stories of big storms and damaging winds and surf, but the modern record begins in 1950.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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The potential adverse consequences to entrepreneurs when well-being is disregarded are well-documented.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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