INJURY Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'injury' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of injury are grievance , injustice , and wrong . While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation. // libel constitutes a legal injury

Q: When could 'grievance' be used to replace 'injury'?

The synonyms grievance and injury are sometimes interchangeable, but grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint. // a list of employee grievances

Q: When is it sensible to use 'injustice' instead of 'injury'?

In some situations, the words injustice and injury are roughly equivalent. However, injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights. // the injustices suffered by the lower classes

Q: In what contexts can 'wrong' take the place of 'injury'?

While in some cases nearly identical to injury , wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice. // determined to right society's wrongs

injury

noun

ˈin-j(ə-)rē

Definition of injury next

as in damage

something that causes loss or pain the harsh words were the worst injury that his father could inflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in injustice

unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this the state did the rancher an injury when it destroyed his herd of cattle without adequate proof that it was diseased

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun injury contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of injury are grievance, injustice, and wrong. While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

When could grievance be used to replace injury?

The synonyms grievance and injury are sometimes interchangeable, but grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

When is it sensible to use injustice instead of injury?

In some situations, the words injustice and injury are roughly equivalent. However, injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

In what contexts can wrong take the place of injury?

While in some cases nearly identical to injury, wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of injury The decision came back to haunt the Braves, who were waylaid by injuries and underperformance and ultimately saw their streak of postseason berths end at seven. —

Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026 Scherr sits out with back injury After making her return to the lineup on Sunday against Texas Tech, senior guard Maddie Scherr didn’t play against the Cougars. —

Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026 Beau was a promising basketball player before knee injuries derailed his career. —

Tim Rohan, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026 The two students who were shot both suffered critical injuries that required extended hospital stays. —

Alan Gionet, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for injury

Recent Examples of Synonyms for injury

Noun

Once it's sent to the collection agency, the credit damage is done and there's no rehabilitating that account.

— Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Hendricks had developed preeclampsia, a potentially fatal complication of pregnancy involving damage to the blood vessels and high amounts of fluid loss.

— Ari Daniel, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026

Definition of damage

Browse Nearby Words

injurious

injury

injustice

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injury. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of injury

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on injury

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

prerogative

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Games & Quizzes