bruise

verb \ ˈbrüz \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of bruise

bruised; bruising

1 a archaic : disable

b : batter, dent

bruise armor

2 : to inflict an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin or a similar injury to plant tissue : to inflict a bruise (see ²bruise 1) on : contuse

bruised her arm when he grabbed her

3 : to break down (leaves, berries, etc.) by pounding : crush

4 : wound, injure; especially : to inflict psychological hurt on

The professional and personal tumbles that have bruised your ego in the past 12 months are over.
—New Woman

intransitive verb

1 : to inflict a bruise

2 : to bear or show the effects of a bruise : to undergo bruising

her skin bruises easily

See bruise defined for English-language learners

See bruise defined for kids

Examples of bruise in a Sentence

She bruised her knee when she fell.
I don't want to bruise anyone's feelings.

Recent Examples of bruise from the Web

Anyone who has used the products and are experiencing unexplained bleeding or bruising should be taken to the hospital immediately or should call 911.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Severe bleeding caused by fake pot triggers health alert in Illinois," 30 Mar. 2018
On its fantastic fourth album, Mother (Bella Union), stirring Cretan-Australian duo Xylouris White masterfully expands its reach without surrendering the essential intimacy and bruising power that’s made it more than the sum of its parts.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Xylouris White expands its collision of Cretan traditional music and rock on Mother," 29 Mar. 2018
Anyone who uses these drugs and experiences unexplained bleeding or bruising is advised to call 911 or have someone take them to an emergency room.

— kate thayer, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois issues warning on synthetic pot after 17 people report severe bleeding," 29 Mar. 2018
Now, the Navy doctor who has been entrusted with the health of the last three presidents is poised for a promotion, tapped to replace David Shulkin at an agency that has been badly bruised by scandal.

— jill colvin, The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump selects personal physician Ronny Jackson to head Veteran Affairs," 29 Mar. 2018
Detectives and hospital personnel noted additional bruising on Hannah's body, according to the sheriff's office.

— jennifer baker, Cincinnati.com, "Babysitter charged with murder in death of 3-year-old girl," 26 Mar. 2018
Matthew was taken to Hartford Hospital and pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. During an autopsy later that day, Dr. Susan Williams found bruising on the teen’s face, forearms and hands.

— david owens, courant.com, "Hartford Woman Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter In Starvation Death Of Disabled Son," 6 Mar. 2018
The bullet hit the woman in the thigh, bruising it but not penetrating the flesh, police said.

— joseph a. gambardello, Philly.com, "Bullet crashes through window, hits woman, 72, in SW Philadelphia," 5 Mar. 2018
Teva is working on a turnaround after getting bruised by the recent slump in U.S. generics prices.

— Fortune, "Teva Is Drowning in Debt and Firing Thousands of Employees. Now Warren Buffett Is Interested," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bruise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bruise

Middle English brusen, brisen, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French bruiser, briser to break, of Celt origin; akin to Old Irish bruid he shatters; Old English brȳsan to bruise; akin to Old Irish bruid, Latin frustum piece

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

bruise

noun

Definition of bruise

1 a : an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin : contusion

b : a similar injury to plant tissue

2 : abrasion, scratch

3 : an injury especially to the feelings

criticisms that left a bruise

See bruise defined for English-language learners

Examples of bruise in a Sentence

He had a bad bruise on his leg after he fell.
a bruise on an apple

Recent Examples of bruise from the Web

Any advice for hiding bruises or getting over the embarrassment?

— dan savage, Chicago Reader, "3-ways between friends and anxiety-induced orgasms: Here's why hundreds skipped Stormy Daniels on 60 Minutes," 4 Apr. 2018
That child had told an elementary school teacher of pain in her stomach and back, and bruises were discovered.

— eric levenson, CNN, "Officials trace the Hart family's final moves before fatal cliff crash," 4 Apr. 2018
She was treated and released after midnight for bruises to her arm and back of the head.

— alex horton, BostonGlobe.com, "Sacramento sheriff’s cruiser hits woman during protest and speeds away, video shows," 2 Apr. 2018
In 2011, Sarah Hart plead guilty in Minnesota to domestic assault after a teacher noticed bruises on her then-6-year-old daughter.

— britni danielle, Essence.com, "Devonte Hart, Boy From Viral Protest Photo, Told Neighbor He Was Being Starved To Death," 30 Mar. 2018
Sarah Hart pleaded guilty to domestic assault in Minnesota back in 2011 after bruises were found on one of the children's back and stomach.

— mireya villarreal, CBS News, "Child of family in SUV that plunged off cliff told neighbor he was being "starved to death"," 29 Mar. 2018
Realmuto, out since March 11 with a low back bruise, has yet to progress beyond throwing and won’t be ready to start the season.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Caleb Smith, Odrisamer Despaigne to pitch second, third games for Marlins," 27 Mar. 2018
The 31-year-old suffered multiple bruises, lacerations, a concussion and a broken toe and was treated at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, Melrose Park, and released.

— deborah kadin, chicagotribune.com, "Car left running in Northlake reported stolen: police," 22 Mar. 2018
Even its grossest perversities are disappointingly harmless, scratches on the surface that barely leave a bruise.

— becca rothfeld, The New Republic, "J.G. Ballard’s Eerily Accurate Dystopias," 14 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of bruise

noun derivative of ¹bruise

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1533

See Words from the same year

bruise Synonyms

Synonyms

contusion;

black eye, hickey;

discoloration;

BRUISE Defined for English Language Learners

bruise

verb

Definition of bruise for English Language Learners

: to cause a bruise on (part of a person's body, a piece of fruit, etc.)
: to get a bruise
: to hurt (someone's confidence, feelings, etc.) through speech or actions

bruise

noun

Definition of bruise for English Language Learners

: a dark and painful area on your skin that is caused by an injury
: a dark area on a plant or piece of fruit that has been damaged

BRUISE Defined for Kids

bruise

verb \ ˈbrüz \

Definition of bruise for Students

bruised; bruising

: to injure the flesh (as by a blow) without breaking the skin

bruise

noun

Definition of bruise for Students

: a black-and-blue spot on the body or a dark spot on fruit caused by an injury or damage

Medical Dictionary

bruise

verb \ ˈbrüz \

medical Definition of bruise

bruised; bruising

transitive verb

1 : to inflict a bruise on : contuse

2 : wound, injure; especially : to inflict psychological hurt on

intransitive verb

: to undergo bruising

she bruises easily

bruise

noun

medical Definition of bruise

1 : an injury transmitted through unbroken skin to underlying tissue causing rupture of small blood vessels and escape of blood into the tissue with resulting discoloration : contusion

2 : an injury especially to the feelings