\ ˈbrüz
\
\
Definition of bruise
(Entry 1 of 2)
bruise
verb
bruised; bruising
Definition of bruise (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: 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 bruise entry 1 sense 1) on : contuse
bruised her arm when he grabbed her
2
: to break down (leaves, berries, etc.) by pounding : crush
1
: to bear or show the effects of a bruise : to undergo bruising
her skin bruises easily
2
: to inflict a bruise
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Examples of bruise in a Sentence
Noun
He had a bad bruise on his leg after he fell.
a bruise on an apple
Verb
She bruised her knee when she fell.
I don't want to bruise anyone's feelings.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Stevens said Walker was a game-time decision after sustaining a bone bruise of his left knee in Game 2.
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Ken Powtak, ajc, 29 May 2021
About 8 minutes after his game-winner, Escurra was involved in a nasty collision near midfield and had to be carted off the field with a left leg bruise.
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Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2021
There was another cancer scare — a bruise on Fox’s stomach that the pediatrician relieved with some rubbing alcohol.
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Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2021
LeVert was playing his second game in a row after missing one game with a right knee bruise.
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J. Michael, The Indianapolis Star, 16 May 2021
Landry Shamet had 30 points and Kyrie Irving scored 20 for the Nets, who played again without James Harden, sidelined with a hamstring issue, and lost Kevin Durant early in the first quarter with a left thigh bruise.
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Tim Reynolds, courant.com, 18 Apr. 2021
After a bumpy start to the season thanks to a bone bruise in his knee, Okeke has settled in to become arguably the Magic’s best player.
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Roy Parry, orlandosentinel.com, 29 Apr. 2021
Magnuson is back: For about six weeks, LaPorte junior Chaise Magnuson was sidelined with a bone bruise in his left foot that required him to wear a walking boot.
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Dave Melton, chicagotribune.com, 26 Apr. 2021
Tobias Harris, who had a borderline all-star first half, played for the first time in three games and is managing a bone bruise in his knee.
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Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Using a mortar and pestle or the back of your chef's knife, press on the herbs (still on their stems) to bruise them, releasing some of their aromas and oils.
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Tim Carman, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2021
They were said to bruise easily, like strawberries.
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Dan Xin Huang, The New Republic, 24 May 2021
Using a mortar and pestle or the back of your chef’s knife, press on the herbs (still on their stems) to bruise them, releasing some of their aromas and oils.
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Washington Post, 17 May 2021
At the H Mart on Broadway at 110th Street in Manhattan, the lights are bright on the singo pears, round as apples and kept snug in white mesh, so their skin won’t bruise.
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New York Times, 6 May 2021
Daffodil clumps that need moving can be lifted while in leaf, but take care not to bruise foliage, slice bulbs or damage roots.
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Washington Post, 5 May 2021
Overdoing it with any lifting tool (for instance, pressing too hard or rolling too fast) could potentially bruise the skin or cause lots of redness.
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Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 29 Apr. 2021
Take two mint crowns, lightly bruise them with your fingers, and stick them against the inside close to the straw.
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Jason O'bryan, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2021
West Coast basketball too often feels like a sports version of the witness protection program until teams bruise and bend brackets.
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Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2021
See MoreThese 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.
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Last Updated
5 Jun 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Bruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bruise. Accessed 15 Jun. 2021.
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More Definitions for bruise
bruise
noun
English Language Learners Definition of bruise
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of bruise (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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
See the full definition for bruise in the English Language Learners Dictionary
bruise
verb
\ ˈbrüz
\
\
bruised; bruising
Kids Definition of bruise
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to injure the flesh (as by a blow) without breaking the skin
bruise
nounKids Definition of bruise (Entry 2 of 2)
: a black-and-blue spot on the body or a dark spot on fruit caused by an injury or damage
bruise
verb
\ ˈbrüz
\
\
bruised; bruising
Medical Definition of bruise
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to inflict a bruise on : contuse
: to undergo bruising
she bruises easily
bruise
nounMedical Definition of bruise (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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Time Traveler for bruise
The first known use of bruise was before the 12th century
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