hurt 1 of 3

1
2
3
4

hurt

2 of 3

noun

hurt

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hurt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hurt are damage, harm, impair, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When can damage be used instead of hurt?

Although the words damage and hurt have much in common, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When might harm be a better fit than hurt?

The words harm and hurt can be used in similar contexts, but harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When could impair be used to replace hurt?

The words impair and hurt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

When would injure be a good substitute for hurt?

While in some cases nearly identical to hurt, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

When is mar a more appropriate choice than hurt?

While the synonyms mar and hurt are close in meaning, mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

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 hurt
Noun
Here is what to know: More: Will Trump's big tax bill help or hurt you? Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 July 2025 This would hurt even the most polished comedy or the most clockwork heist movie, let alone one that hopes to be both. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025
Adjective
Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous, or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 June 2025 Gilgeous-Alexander made sure that miss hurt; an incredible drive into the paint was finished off with a floating layup that gave the Thunder a six-point cushion. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hurt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurt
Verb
  • Owners may consider special stairs, a ramp or even a stroller to help their elderly dog move around, while some dogs benefit from special beds and crate pads to help aching muscles and stiff joints.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Like all great period romances, Maurice places aching desire at the forefront, with the men's palpable yearning made all the more soul-shattering by the fetters of their time.
    Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
  • But opponents contend that industrial animal agriculture actually jeopardizes food security, by damaging local ecosystems, undermining traditional agricultural practices, and intensifying climate harms.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Clark has been injured and has struggled lately, going just 13-of-47 from three-point territory in her last three games and missing six of the Indiana Fever's 16 games this season.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • At least 968 civilians were killed and over 4,800 injured.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Dogs, the nation's most-popular pet, were also called challenging to raise and grieve.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
  • This has led some to publicly chastise the grieving parents for seeking vengeance over justice, a criticism that Kristi addressed in a Facebook post on Thursday, July 3.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Buildings continue to fall into economic distress because of government’s housing policies.
    Alva Badillo, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • In line with these ideas, researchers published findings in 2023 that showed that meditation increased people’s concern for the suffering of others—and that, by comparison, people without this practice were more oriented to their own distress.
    Mariah G. Schug, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • There is a presumption of irreparable harm, Brann noted, after a finding of trademark infringement.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
  • Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Like his old friend Zora, Duncan is still pained by a tragic family loss; the two of them pull a crafty move to get Krebs to bump up Duncan’s fee.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
  • Wasp abstracts that pain away—while giving AI systems a higher-level interface to build on.
    Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • The Mets go the way of Francisco Lindor, and he’s been marred in his own slump this month.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • The last weekend of June in Indianapolis was marred by a rash of shootings that left seven dead and nine others injured.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 30 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hurt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurt. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hurt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!