bruise 1 of 2

1
as in scratch
a bodily injury in which small blood vessels are broken but the overlying skin is not she got quite a big bruise from walking into the corner of the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in scrape
an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface bruises caused by ill-fitting hiking boots

Synonyms & Similar Words

bruise

2 of 2

verb

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 bruise
Noun
Miami might be back, winning with dominant play on the line of scrimmage and a bruising running game. David Ubben, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 Takamori finished with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and most of the running back’s yards were gained on bruising runs up the middle. Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
The trade that sent him to Los Angeles, though, left visible bruises all over Dončić. Dan Woike, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025 As mentioned, Williamson got shut down as of March 19 last season due to a back bone bruise. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bruise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruise
Noun
  • Made from scratch-resistant ABS plastic, these bags are lightweight and durable and feel much higher-quality than their price suggests.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
  • From start to finish, buying this tiny home on Amazon is truly like building your dream home from scratch—all from the comfort of your computer.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This compact kit includes 276 pieces, covering everything from scrapes to unexpected travel mishaps.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The man suffered a broken foot and scrapes on his arms and legs, the statement said.
    TJ Macias, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Also on Tuesday, a farmer in his 20s was attacked by a bear in the northern prefecture of Akita, days after a Spanish tourist was wounded by another animal while walking near a shuttle bus top at the Shirakawa Village, a popular destination in central Japan.
    Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Real healing isn’t about erasing what’s wounded.
    Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Wideout Sean Brown suffered a contusion during his catch and run in Saturday night’s loss and is expected to be OK, but didn’t practice on Tuesday, according to Albin.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • First baseman Nolan Schanuel (wrist contusion) said hitting flips went well, so he’s now scheduled to head to Arizona for the weekend to ramp up his activity.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Thankfully, these pants do an excellent job of wicking sweat and precipitation with a stretchy, abrasion-resistant fabric.
    Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Top distressed straight-leg jeans These jeans feature a light wash with several abrasions and holes.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The assault left four members dead and numerous others physically injured, some from gunshots, others by smoke inhalation and still others gashed and bleeding from shrapnel and shards of glass.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The problem is, excluding a lopsided Week 2 win over the lowly Browns, the defense is getting gashed.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In another, the two stood together while Erbert Hough placed a hand on her belly, highlighting her bump.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The fact that Johnson had three bumps on the back of his head made things even more complicated, since there wasn’t a flat surface for the wig to lay on.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Someone slit his throat and bashed him over the head in Skulls Rainbow Room, which sits in Printers Alley, one of the most popular destinations in Nashville.
    Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
  • When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.
    Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruise. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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