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Definition of hurtnext
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hurt

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adjective

hurt

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noun

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
Verb
Afterall, the vulnerable communities are the ones hurt by fraud. Abdi Nor Iftin, Time, 27 Jan. 2026 The Panthers had a solid year last year and discovered standout quarterback Mason Heintschel after former starter Eli Holstein got hurt. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Gen Z has seen the steepest decline in credit scores of any age group this year as student loans repayments, a tough job market, high inflation and fewer opportunities to build credit early hurt young borrowers, according to the inaugural FICO Score Credit Insights Report. Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025 But sub Tyrod Taylor is less than fit with a hurt knee. Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Dallas fourth grader Blen Teklu acknowledges that hate, hurt and division exist in the world. Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026 Officers also found a juvenile hurt inside the home, but police did not know the extent of their injuries, according to Sgt. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurt
Verb
  • That’s why our hearts are aching over his death at 78.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Partnership conversations shift as Venus (in your 7th House of Collaborations) nudges aching Chiron, encouraging clear requests and brave listening across family or professional bonds.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Some government offices and financial institutions were damaged during the unrest, residents said, while merchants reported being ordered to reopen businesses despite ongoing security operations.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The gunfire damaged the car’s rear end, trunk, tail light and rear window louver, according to court documents.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, of Sahuarita, was shot and critically injured, according to authorities.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Kevin De Bruyne got injured in October and hasn’t featured since.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In moments of crisis—when communities are grieving, divided, or searching for ways to care for one another—nonprofits stand on the front lines, holding our social fabric together through connection, healing, and support.
    Cat Ward, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • For the cover of the February 9, 2026, issue, the artist Till Lauer evokes the recent killings of civilians by ICE agents in Minneapolis, where thousands have gathered in the streets to protest and grieve.
    Françoise Mouly, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • If both are back or replaced by players with similar salaries, the Warriors are likely pushing near the second apron in the final season that Stephen Curry and an injured Jimmy Butler are under contract.
    Danny Leroux, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took the injured man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The visits focus on loneliness and emotional distress, issues that many survivors say have intensified amid the war in Ukraine and rising antisemitism in the United States.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The demonstrations, sparked by economic distress and anger at Iran’s clerical rulers, were met with a sweeping crackdown that activists say has killed thousands.
    Nik Popli, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The law allows judges to order the seizure of guns from people who pose a significant risk of harm.
    Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Local reports noted that the woman miraculously survived partly because her helmet helped prevent more serious harm.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • McNally is still pained by her death.
    Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • His facial expressions are often pained or bemused.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hurt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurt. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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