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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of bruises
CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
The bumps and bruises, aches, pain and fatigue that comes with air travel and sleeping in hotels and the unrelenting schedule takes its toll.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Look, the Royals are better equipped to handle some rotation bumps and bruises.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
An autopsy by the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined the boy was malnourished and had numerous bruises on his body.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
This knocked Ritchson off his motorcycle, which resulted in cuts, bruises and a minor finger injury, TMZ reported.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
That reportedly led to the altercation, which allegedly left Taylor with bruises and swelling.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Only seconds had passed, but by then, the girlfriend testified, bruises were already forming on David’s eye and face.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
Huge bruises scattered her body.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
A week earlier, an emergency rescue helicopter found the woman with bruises and lacerations after a fall at a rocky spot at the waterfall on the South Island's West Coast.
—CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
The bumps and bruises, aches, pain and fatigue that comes with air travel and sleeping in hotels and the unrelenting schedule takes its toll.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Look, the Royals are better equipped to handle some rotation bumps and bruises.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
An autopsy by the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined the boy was malnourished and had numerous bruises on his body.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
This knocked Ritchson off his motorcycle, which resulted in cuts, bruises and a minor finger injury, TMZ reported.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
That reportedly led to the altercation, which allegedly left Taylor with bruises and swelling.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Only seconds had passed, but by then, the girlfriend testified, bruises were already forming on David’s eye and face.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
Huge bruises scattered her body.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruises
Noun
-
Rabies, a virus transmitted through bites and scratches, poses risks to both humans and pets.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Each sample was placed against a black background and backlit to reveal surface scratches.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Water damage, humidity, and hinges that need adjustments can also create shifts that leave scrapes and wear.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
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Recovery and What Comes Next At SeaWorld’s facility, the care team focused on hydrating and warming the manatee while treating cuts and scrapes on the belly and underside, as well as treating an infection.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 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
-
Both victims suffered head contusions and received CT scans at a hospital.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
James, returning from elbow and hip contusions sustained in a fall against the Denver Nuggets on March 5, had 18 points with seven rebounds and seven assists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Light scratches and abrasions will occur at the finish level rather than on the wood, and moisture and water won’t absorb through the topcoat.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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The victim suffered a brain bleed, a fractured toe and abrasions, according to court officials.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The front lid appears to be barely hanging on by a thread, with cuts and gashes throughout.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 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
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The 25-year-old came to the defense of Jamal Murray after an exchange of bumps early in the second quarter, sparking a minor altercation.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That started the ball rolling, but there were a lot of bumps on the way.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This budget cut slashes the funds allocated to Chile’s Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
23 Mar. 2026
-
State Department slashes fee to renounce US citizenship For anyone considering a breakup with America, the fee to give up US citizenship just dropped by about 80%.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bruises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruises. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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