hurt 1 of 3

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
This woman, who witnessed it, is grateful no one was hurt. Joe Bruno, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026 Even Domino’s is hurting as Americans order less pizza. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Landry has been hampered by a hurt knee since mid-October. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026 Pro Bowl left tackle Garett Bolles played on a hurt ankle himself for the entirety of the second half. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
But there is no avoiding the reality of how much this hurt. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026 Your confusion and hurt are well-founded. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurt
Verb
  • When his tiredness turned into a 105 degree fever and body aches, his parents took him to a local emergency room.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 May 2026
  • Once again, my heart surprisingly aches for Kristen.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.
    Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
  • They’re specifically designed for glass cooktop surfaces and have two sides—a gritty, sandpaper-like one on one side and a soft sponge on the other that gently scrub off stubborn messes and stuck-on bits without scratching or damaging the glass.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Police said the driver of the SUV was not injured and is cooperating with investigators.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Joshua Jahn, 29, killed a detainee, injured two others and fatally shot himself.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Professor, with only her ex-partner’s cat for company, sits in her decaying apartment and grieves the loss of her relationship and her struggle with infertility.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • Group for individuals grieving death of spouse or life partner.
    Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Carrollton Police Department in Texas has released new details — including the reason why — about the Tuesday morning shooting that left two dead and three injured.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • By the time Sunday’s Game 7 loss was over, Jamal Shead, already standing in for an injured Immanuel Quickley, had sprained his ankle.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • That said, debt settlement can be a legitimate option, particularly for those who are already in severe financial distress, have accounts that have already gone to collections or are weighing bankruptcy as the alternative.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026
  • Hantavirus is an illness carried by rodents that can spread to humans and cause acute respiratory distress.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.
    Lexi Nicklaus, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The guidance states that potential harms in this age group, including false positives, psychological distress, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and radiation exposure, may outweigh the uncertain benefits of screening.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His disaffection baffles his acquaintances and pains his tubercular wife (a superb Quinn Jackson), whose doctor (Lambert Tamin) has only contempt for her husband’s agonizing.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The emotions ran raw, Grace told Hannity, but other aspects of the case pained her, too.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hurt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurt. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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