hurtful

adjective

hurt·​ful ˈhərt-fəl How to pronounce hurtful (audio)
Synonyms of hurtfulnext
: causing injury, detriment, or suffering : damaging
hurtfully adverb
hurtfulness noun

Examples of hurtful in a Sentence

She can't forgive him for the hurtful things he said. Their comments were really hurtful to me.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Rather than accepting her refusal, the fan followed her and made hurtful comments while continuing to film. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Ledford refuted that claim as hurtful and untrue in a 2021 Washington Post interview. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 This is just ridiculous, criminal and hurtful. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 Never allow your child to be rude or say hurtful things to you or anyone else. Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurtful

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hurtful was in 1526

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurtful. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

hurtful

adjective
hurt·​ful ˈhərt-fəl How to pronounce hurtful (audio)
: causing injury or suffering : damaging
hurtfully adverb
hurtfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hurtful

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster