as in oppressive
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Recent Examples of bruising
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
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
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Perhaps in Iran, which has been engulfed by mass protests, leading the president to threaten action against an oppressive regime that has bedeviled the United States for nearly half a century.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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Inside, there’s a plush bed, a cushioned chair, and an open wardrobe stocked with robes—essential for cooling down during the oppressive afternoon heat between game drives.—
Nicholas DeRenzo,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The songs are at times over-the-top, at others lacerating in their introspection about everything from the anxiety of aging to the anguished choice to terminate a pregnancy.—
Adam Bradley Luis Alberto Rodriguez Carlos Nazario,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Most people who get sick recover within a week, but infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Those who suffer spinal strokes often experience sudden and intense neck or back pain, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Left to carry the weight Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said Hartford is a city of 120,000 people where half of the property is not taxable, deeply slashing the city’s revenue.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
19 Jan. 2026
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In recent years, private-equity deals have been seen to milk businesses for profit by slashing costs and quality, and have appeared to play a role in the breakup of some legacy retail brands, including Toys R Us, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and fabrics chain JoAnn Inc.—
Suhauna Hussain The Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Equally efficient, less exhausting.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 Jan. 2026
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Big in-game comebacks are exhilarating – and exhausting.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In classrooms, this suggests that opportunities for social interaction – for instance, children listening to their classmates’ ideas and haggling over what is true and why – can support brain health and academic learning.—
Niral Shah,
The Conversation,
15 Dec. 2025
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Khan was left with a handful of family members and loyalists haggling for a weekly prison meeting.—
Mohammed Hanif,
Time,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The service Aside from a formidable restaurant and spa, the service sets this hotel apart from other country boutiques in Sicily.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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From a portable power bank to keep your phone charged to noise-canceling headphones that will drown out stressful sounds, these travel accessories will help nervous fliers and frequent travelers alike have easier journeys.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Documentation helps mitigate the stress that could otherwise be highly stressful.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bruising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruising. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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