1
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the most hurtful thing you can do to this silk dress is put it in the dryer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
her ex-husband said hurtful things that she could never forgive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hurtful
There were some things that were said publicly that were hurtful, but sometimes relationships are rocky like that.
—
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
Barajas said the news is hurtful to the program and the future of diversity on campus.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
Barajas said the news is hurtful to the program and the future of diversity on campus.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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In more extreme cases, happiness can also be derived from sources that are harmful to others.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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That chamber is sealed, plus the SoftGel is non-toxic, so harmful fumes reportedly shouldn't be a problem.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Downplaying the obvious and searingly painful crime plaguing Chicago neighborhoods is unacceptable and dangerous.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The fluctuations in temperature can be detrimental to the shelf life of products.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
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Like hurricanes, property taxes hit everyone, and the detrimental consequences for Black people have been most severe.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Because of the cruel math of throughput and utilization, over ten days, only three hundred people experienced Blur.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Tamra was awful to Gretchen back then, culminating in the Naked Wasted Party, which was one of the cruelest things to ever happen on Housewives.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The National Weather Service in Nashville said the region is at a slight risk, a two on the five-step scale, for damaging winds, isolated large hail, heavy rains, frequent lightning and a possible tornado.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
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The terrifying part is that these attacks are likely to become more frequent and more damaging.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The once-beloved pastels will become harsh.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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The pilgrimage, listed on the official calendar of jubilee events, comes as gay Catholics look to Pope Leo XIV to continue down the bold path of his predecessor to welcome into the church a group that has in the past faced alienation and sometimes harsh treatment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The illness prevents her body from producing platelets, leaving her at constant risk of dangerous bleeding.—
Liz Neporent,
ABC News,
26 Aug. 2025
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But that wasn't the most dangerous thing that happened to me.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The specialty retailer’s chief financial officer, Robert Ball, said Abercrombie has seen about $5 million in adverse impact from tariffs during the second quarter, chiefly manifested in the cost of sales, and expects $90 million net impact from tariffs for the year.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
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This tool helps with reading, writing, summarizing, adverse-event profile reviews, label comparisons, clinical protocol assessments, and even generating database code.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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