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
This seemed deliberately designed to be hurtful, and indeed I am hurt and confused.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Her goals have been protecting the crown, future-proofing the monarchy, [honoring] the late Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy and protecting her children from Prince Harry's hurtful commentary.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Constance remembered her sister reminding her once that boys did a lot of hurtful things just from a lack of thought.
—Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
This defensiveness can feel confusing and hurtful to your partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Her goals have been protecting the crown, future-proofing the monarchy, [honoring] the late Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy and protecting her children from Prince Harry's hurtful commentary.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Constance remembered her sister reminding her once that boys did a lot of hurtful things just from a lack of thought.
—Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
This defensiveness can feel confusing and hurtful to your partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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One of the most common and harmful examples is the Social Security Administration phishing scam, which targets unsuspecting individuals with alarming and deceptive messages.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
-
Our students and their families will suffer because of the harmful provisions in this bill.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Bernie had facial fractures, cuts and bruises around his face, and very painful muscle injuries.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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On the Blue Devils’ flight home from San Antonio, there Scheyer was: digesting the game tape, reliving the most painful defeat he’s suffered in three seasons coaching his alma mater.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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These dams have detrimental ecological impacts in an area that is already experiencing a high amount of litter.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
-
In addition to the risks of dehydration and heat illness, exposure to the sun is detrimental to your skin.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Politics remains a cruel business and the governor has been on the frontline of it for nearly 20 years, winning and losing.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
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They were joined by actors playing the contestants, who lurched along wearing expressions of exaggerated horror, as though the cruel stakes of the game had just been revealed to them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Texas and the Upper Midwest could continue to see strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail through the weekend.—
Taylor Ward,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
-
These storms may bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall and hail.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
The mask fully blocks out the harsh cabin lighting and that inevitable sunrise glow before landing.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
-
Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Other symptoms can include itching, swelling, and a throbbing pain that radiates up the affected limb, according to Cleveland Clinic. Types Of Jellyfish To Look Out For According to Coffey, the U.S. is home to more than 9,000 species of jellyfish, and only about 100 are considered dangerous.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
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Making Their Lives Too Easy Wealth without work creates a dangerous illusion.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions (that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms), stomach pain and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather.—
Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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