Definition of bruise
bruised
;bruising
transitive verb
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
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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
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Whatever the situation or his intentions, his heart often gets bruised, which inspires him to retreat and lick his wounds in the form of ballads about love and heartbreak.
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He was bruised on his ankle, both shins, both thighs, and across his torso.
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The result, which follows a brief but bruising campaign marred by corruption allegations, adds uncertainty to Mongolia’s recovery from a commodity downturn that battered government finances and the economy.
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Avoid peaches that are green, shriveled or bruised.
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With her face bruised and beaten-up, she's covered in duct tape that reads Easy Breezy Beautiful Thugger Girls, the album’s name, an obvious play on CoverGirl’s slogan, Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, CoverGirl.
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The lineup Center fielder Leury Garcia sits out his fourth straight game after bruising his hand Sunday.
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Sancho often is played as bruised, battered, and long-suffering, but Bunshaft plays him as happy-go-lucky with a touch of Wallace Shawn.
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A Love post-up against Kevin Durant might not seem like a great option on-face, but Love has bruised his way into enough fouls and makes for the premise to work.
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
bruise
Definition of bruise
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
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A strawberry softens, turns musty, overnight each apple grows a bruise.
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After Olivia went to school with her legs covered in bruises, administrators warned Fontaine to stop, but nothing changed.
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Another scene reveals the bruises on Ellen's back from doing sit-ups.
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Jonas has come through the Ed Hardy fire on the other side with only a couple of bruises to his ego.
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Injuries ranged from bruises to fractures and issues that required surgery, according to the Russian Embassy.
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Dizzy and nauseated, with bruises spreading on both her legs and around her eye, Rosenkrance, 58, nearly passed out.
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Many injured—some head injuries, burns, cuts and bruises.
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
noun derivative of 1bruise
BRUISE Defined for English Language Learners
bruise
playDefinition of bruise for English Language Learners
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: to cause a bruise on (part of a person's body, a piece of fruit, etc.)
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: to get a bruise
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: to hurt (someone's confidence, feelings, etc.) through speech or actions
bruise
Definition of bruise for English Language Learners
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: a dark and painful area on your skin that is caused by an injury
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: a dark area on a plant or piece of fruit that has been damaged
BRUISE Defined for Kids
Definition of bruise for Students
bruised
;bruising
: to injure the flesh (as by a blow) without breaking the skin
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
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
Learn More about bruise
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See words that rhyme with bruise Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bruise Spanish Central: Translation of bruise Nglish: Translation of bruise for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bruise for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bruise
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