hurt for
phrasal verb
hurt for; hurting for; hurts for
US, informal
1
: to lack (something needed)
Those children are hurting for attention.
The company is hurting for money right now.
2
: to have sympathy or pity for (someone)
I hurt for those poor people.
Examples of hurt for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, five months after her daughter's death, her husband has asked her to move past the hurt for the sake of their family.
—
Ashley Vega, People.com, 20 June 2025
As Smart’s veteran comedian Deborah Vance reached for the brass ring of a talk show hosting gig, her fear of failure created a world of hurt for Ava Daniels (Einbinder) and much disruption for their agents Jimmy (co-showrunner Paul W. Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter).
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 10 June 2025
Usually, listening to someone repeat themselves and hurt for original banter quickly grows stale.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Elon Musk’s parlay into politics has caused a world of hurt for Tesla.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Taking chances and bouncing back from setbacks help build resilience and perhaps the chronically risk-averse need to feel comfortable with the possibility of short-term hurt for long-term gains.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 3 Apr. 2025
For the Pacers, the biggest player currently hurt for them is young wing Bennedict Mathurin.
—Seth Quinn, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Including bigger action spectacle moments and a few more superhero cameos never hurts for buzz and promotion, either.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
For example, purchasing and gifting homes, paying rents and funding emergency services move money directly into the communities that are most hurting for capital and could stimulate the production of new units and the maintenance of older units.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
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Ashley Vega, People.com, 20 June 2025
As Smart’s veteran comedian Deborah Vance reached for the brass ring of a talk show hosting gig, her fear of failure created a world of hurt for Ava Daniels (Einbinder) and much disruption for their agents Jimmy (co-showrunner Paul W. Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter).
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 10 June 2025
Usually, listening to someone repeat themselves and hurt for original banter quickly grows stale.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Elon Musk’s parlay into politics has caused a world of hurt for Tesla.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Taking chances and bouncing back from setbacks help build resilience and perhaps the chronically risk-averse need to feel comfortable with the possibility of short-term hurt for long-term gains.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 3 Apr. 2025
For the Pacers, the biggest player currently hurt for them is young wing Bennedict Mathurin.
—Seth Quinn, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Including bigger action spectacle moments and a few more superhero cameos never hurts for buzz and promotion, either.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
For example, purchasing and gifting homes, paying rents and funding emergency services move money directly into the communities that are most hurting for capital and could stimulate the production of new units and the maintenance of older units.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurt for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurt%20for. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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