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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hurtful
Iverson hopes people watching the show see Ogilvie’s comments as both hurtful and unnecessary and strive for empathy in their own lives as a result.
—
Marah Eakin, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
This is clearly an attempt to refute the common—and correct—argument that tariffs are regressive, or disproportionately hurtful to lower-income people.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
People have explained Davidson’s disability ad nauseam, but that commentary has been a hurtful reminder that Black personhood is a constant afterthought.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Will that influence be fruitful or hurtful?
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Marah Eakin, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
This is clearly an attempt to refute the common—and correct—argument that tariffs are regressive, or disproportionately hurtful to lower-income people.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
People have explained Davidson’s disability ad nauseam, but that commentary has been a hurtful reminder that Black personhood is a constant afterthought.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Will that influence be fruitful or hurtful?
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
-
This week, California regulators are taking a critical look at one of the state’s most harmful laws.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Awareness, not alarm, is a powerful tool for families navigating online spaces where harmful language and intent are often hidden in plain sight.—
Sharlette A. Kellum,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The images of that crash were shared widely online and caught Noah Williams' attention, triggering painful memories and taking him back to the day his own life changed forever.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Red-eared sliders have had a detrimental impact on our native turtle populations.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers are still unsure about how detrimental the blood changes could be to the sharks’ health.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Because here’s the last, and cruelest, kicker.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On April 4, a cold front heading east will bring risks of hail, heavy rain and damaging winds from Texas to southwestern New York, AccuWeather reported.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The tornadoes ranged in intensity from EF-0 to EF-3, damaging or destroying numerous homes and businesses, overturning vehicles and causing widespread power outages.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His team, which includes his advisor Atsushi Shirane and Masaya Miyahara of Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), is aiming to develop a wireless system for controlling robots in this harsh environment.—
Katherine Bourzac,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Items that are wind-resistant and waterproof will be good for use in many harsh weather conditions in which the user would need protection.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The sheriff's office extended condolences to the child's family and loved ones, calling the incident a tragic reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can turn dangerous.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
As multiple cities around Jackson County move to ban types of unregulated and potentially dangerous ‘gas station drugs’ — specifically more potent variations of kratom — Lee’s Summit has not only joined the charge but has taken restrictions even further.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The most common adverse events were falls and muscle weakness, which overlap with ALS symptoms.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
When you're stressed or angry, your cortisol levels rise, which can have adverse effects on your heart, metabolism, and immune system.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
