BRUISING Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

bruising 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of bruising

as in oppressive

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Relevance

Dissimilar Words

bruising

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bruise

as in lacerating

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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 bruising

Adjective

Marcus ends her book by wondering whether the neutral ideal of the court can survive the bruising battle of Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. — John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2020 The University of Maryland, College Park has been at the center of most of the bruising scandals, most notably the death of a 19-year-old football player Jordan McNair and ensuing reports of a troubled culture within the athletic department. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, 9 Nov. 2019 Even Mr Macron’s domestic standing has started to recover, having taken a bruising soon after coming into office. — The Economist, 7 Nov. 2019 Adding to the challenges for Chief Justice Roberts, the Supreme Court’s latest term, which ended in June, was particularly bruising and divisive. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2018 See All Example Sentences for bruising

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruising

Adjective

The investigation into Toro follows a complaint from Bigelow that alleges the workplace culture under Toro’s leadership is characterized as oppressive, bullying and fearful, according to the complaint.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
In its opening episodes, the series carefully distinguishes Lizzie from her male killer counterparts while highlighting the oppressive conditions women faced in the era.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Verb

Two generations of viewers have now grown up consuming The Daily Show’s lacerating take on politics.

— Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
In the last year, Huston has broken his eye socket — twice — and his jaw, as well as lacerating his kidney, per posts on his social media.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026

Definition of lacerating

Adjective

Carriers will often cancel a chunk, if not most of their schedules, during severe winter storms or hurricanes to ensure planes, passengers and crews aren’t out of place, but airlines are still assessing the nor’easter’s potential path and impact.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
With severe weather forecast for Boston, where the Cubs are slated to play three games crucial to the National League playoff seeding, Major League Baseball is looking at several scenarios to make sure the games get played.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of severe

Verb

Hilton has made a slew of campaign promises to lower the cost of living, including $3 gasoline, no taxes on income below $150,000 and lowering energy bills by slashing climate-friendly regulations imposed by Democrats.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
The crooks beat him savagely, at one point slashing him with a machete, while demanding his iPhone password, officials said.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of slashing

Adjective

Every episode was like a slightly different stage of grief, and so to stay in that for months at a time was exhausting.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
The result is a boisterous, exhausting drama that struggles to balance trauma, satire and the painful legacy of Black sitcom fame.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of exhausting

Verb

All that hoopla results in a heavy lift for news networks and involves haggling over the real estate for anchor booths and transmission facilities.

— Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Former executive chairman Daniel Levy had a reputation for haggling over deals, sometimes allowing rival clubs to steal transfer targets from them.

— Jay Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of haggling

Adjective

DeFoe has very limited experience fishing at Lake Hamilton, but his partner Gill is one of the most formidable specialists with forward-facing sonar.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Both EVs share a formidable powertrain specced for serious performance, and feature futuristic styling that wouldn't be out of place in a cyberpunk future.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of formidable

Verb

The debate comes as concerns mount in Washington about autonomous AI agents escaping human control and hacking into private companies, just as current and former employees of AI labs issue dire warnings about the dangers of unconstrained AI.

— Bobby Allyn, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
Also that month, a pro-Iranian hacking group claimed to have hacked an account of Patel's and posted online what appear to be years-old photographs of him, along with a work resume and other personal documents dating back more than a decade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of hacking

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bruises

bruising

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“Bruising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruising. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bruising

adjective

verb

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