bruises 1 of 2

Definition of bruisesnext
plural of bruise
1
as in scratches
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

bruises

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bruise

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 bruises
Noun
The attack left Wilson with a concussion, as well as bruises and abrasions throughout her face and body. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 But by May 2027, the bruises suffered and the regrets carried may well be part of a different kind of journey. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026 The girl had bruises to her arms and the other boy had bruises to his arms and legs, according to the release. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026 Neither the suspect’s nor the victim’s names have been released, though police shared images of what appeared to be bruises on the victim’s face. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 May 2026 Paul’s lawyers said Mortensen slammed her head into the vehicle’s dashboard, causing bruises. Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 The boy was treated at BronxCare Health System for bruises and a cut. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026 There have been discussions of Trump using foundation to conceal bruises in his hands for a few months, and people discussed that in response to Rupar. Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026 When picking your tomatillos, go for a medium size and look for smooth pieces with no cracks or bruises. ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruises
Noun
  • In rare cases, it can be spread through rodent bites or scratches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • The scratches, mild but visible, are from the ravenous audience who pushes toward her night after night — grasping for a hug, a high-five, a brush of her fingers or the hem of her sleeve.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • At a June 12 protest, a federal agent shoved freelance journalist Anna Sophia Moltke to the ground, causing sprains on her left arm and leg and deep scrapes to her hip and knee that have since scarred.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • Police said the victim sustained visible injuries to his hand and reported additional pain and possible scrapes to his shin.
    Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Chops, gouges, wounds it like the shadow grooves on the sidewalks—the sun is setting earlier.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Imperfect fleshly reality occupies the stage, the region where bones crack and wounds suppurate, schlumpy humans fall for each other, and jealousy roams murderously free.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The mayor was hospitalized and diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebra and suffered multiple lacerations, contusions, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
  • However, the lawsuit states the autopsy report omitted references to physical injuries on her body, such as bruising and contusions.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Brown suffered a concussion, abrasions to his forehead, cheeks, upper lip, forearms, abdomen and knees.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
  • The attack left Wilson with a concussion, as well as bruises and abrasions throughout her face and body.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The front lid appears to be barely hanging on by a thread, with cuts and gashes throughout.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Heupel spreads out his receivers in an attempt to spread out the defense, then gashes them with the run.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Amazon has successfully courted high fashion brands over the years like Coach, there were a few bumps on the road.
    Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
  • No one who flew Spirit was doing caviar bumps in a lounge.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • SpaceX's Starlink is rolling out a new deal that slashes the monthly price of the satellite internet service in the US by $21.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 May 2026
  • Earlier in the film, Kenobi slashes off the arm of a creature who was known then as Walrus Man and is known now as Ponda Baba.
    Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bruises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruises. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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