injury

noun

in·​ju·​ry ˈin-j(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
1
: hurt, damage, or loss sustained
2
a
: an act that damages or hurts : wrong
b
: violation of another's rights for which the law allows an action to recover damages
Choose the Right Synonym for injury

injustice, injury, wrong, grievance mean an act that inflicts undeserved hurt.

injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

Examples of injury in a Sentence

Hikers need to take sensible precautions to prevent injury. She's concerned about the risk of injury to her reputation. The team has been weakened by illness and injury. Careless use of these tools can cause serious bodily injury. She survived the accident without injury. She fell and suffered an injury to her arm. His athletic career has been slowed by injuries.
Recent Examples on the Web Just last month in San Francisco, a driverless Waymo car crashed into a cyclist, causing minor injuries. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Her 31-year-old father and 7-year-old sister were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 The jail began housing inmates in 1882, but was immobilized in the 1930s after some of them sustained some gruesome injuries. The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 And, with injuries to Tristan Beck and Sean Hjelle, the competition for the fifth spot is wide open. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Snow rangers also responded to two other skiers who suffered traumatic injuries after falling down and hitting rocks and ice, according to the U.S. Forest Service. USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Pickett was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but has struggled with injuries and fluctuating performances since being drafted out of the University of Pittsburgh. Ben Morse, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Paramedics took the man to Regions Hospital with possible life-threatening injuries, according to Ernster. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 11 Mar. 2024 Dallas-Fort Worth The suspect was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries Fox News Flash top headlines for March 11 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'injury.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English injurie, from Anglo-French, Latin injuria, from injurus injurious, from in- + jur-, jus right — more at just

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of injury was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near injury

Cite this Entry

“Injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/injury. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

injury

noun
in·​ju·​ry ˈinj-(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
1
: an act that damages or hurts : wrong
2
: hurt, damage, or loss received

Medical Definition

injury

noun
in·​ju·​ry ˈinj-(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
: hurt, damage, or loss sustained

Legal Definition

injury

noun
in·​ju·​ry
plural injuries
1
: an act that wrongs or harms another
specifically : a violation of a legally protected interest (as the physical or mental well-being, property, reputation, or rights of another) for which the law allows an action for legal or equitable relief
2
: hurt, damage, or loss sustained
Etymology

Latin injuria, from injurus injurious, from in- not + jur-, jus right

More from Merriam-Webster on injury

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