bruises 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
as in wounds

Related Words

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
On June 30, 1929, a young Black girl found McDaniel’s body lying face-down, with a broken neck and bruises. — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 Lewis, 10, survived with a concussion, cuts and bruises despite not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Smurf played with bumps and bruises and half a tooth at one point against Georgia Tech. — Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 15 July 2026 Look Look for a firm watermelon that is free from bruises, cuts or dents. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 15, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 McDaniel broke his femur, the body’s strongest bone, in four places near his hip and suffered several bruises. — Sara Smart, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 The mother told officers that on June 25 her 4-year-old son came home from daycare with bruises on his face. — Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026 Eliminate possible bumps and bruises by using a pool noodle to cover sharp edges. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026 According to Globo, the woman had multiple bruises on her breasts, neck and lips. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruises
  1. scratches
  2. scrapes
  3. wounds
  4. contusions
  5. abrasions
  6. gashes
  7. bumps
  8. slashes
Noun
  • According to appliance expert Ilaria Castagnoli, white film can also be caused by micro-scratches left behind by abrasive cookware or cleaning pads.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026
  • One of the standout pieces in Galecki’s room is a yellow chair with visible scratches, rips and worn fabric.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
Definition of scratches
Noun
  • Necrotizing fasciitis can be contracted when bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish waters enters the body through open cuts, scrapes, burns or other puncture wounds, or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • The agency also recommends those at higher risk for infection wear water shoes or clothes in coastal water to prevent cuts and scrapes.
    — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026
Definition of scrapes
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
Definition of wounds
Noun
  • The warrant states an autopsy found Murphy had contusions on her body in various stages of healing.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • For contusions, wear your shin guards.
    — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 22 May 2026
Definition of contusions
Noun
  • Today, restoration usually involves hiding blemishes with cosmetics or waxing over small abrasions.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • Most of the animals found were injured and had fractures, multiple traumas, mutilations, abrasions, or cuts, said Vargas, a veterinary assistant.
    — Anabella Gonzalez, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of abrasions
Verb
  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made similar claims in television interviews in early July, saying on Fox News that vandals left gashes totaling 350 feet.
    — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • The front lid appears to be barely hanging on by a thread, with cuts and gashes throughout.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of gashes
Noun
  • These are small bumps along the stem where new growth emerges.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
  • When a rogue asteroid hurtles toward Earth on short notice, gentle gravitational nudges and kinetic bumps won’t save the day.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of bumps
Verb
  • Applying this rule to back-to-school clothes, summer swimwear, and winter boots takes minimal extra effort (plus a little storage space) and slashes kid clothing budgets in half.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 31 July 2026
  • Continue reading … DOLLAR DIPLOMACY — Taco Bell slashes prices on lettuce-free favorites to win back wary customers.
    — , FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of slashes

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Bruises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruises. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bruises for Spanish Speakers

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