HURTFUL Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

hurtful

adjective

ˈhərt-fəl

Definition of hurtful

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm the most hurtful thing you can do to this silk dress is put it in the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in painful

hard to accept or bear especially emotionally her ex-husband said hurtful things that she could never forgive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hurtful All through our relationship, my mother has said very hurtful things to me about our timeline, and also about my career. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026 Just remember, when your daughter repeats something hurtful, resist the urge to defend yourself or criticize her mother. — Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 But that has been hurtful because his power and exit velocities are average to below average. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Sensing his son’s remorse for his hurtful words, dad was then able to have what seemed to be a helpful conversation with him about consent, accountability, and what to do when teasing crosses the line. — Christian Dashiell, Parents, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurtful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful

Adjective

While the baits are not harmful to pets, eating several may cause mild stomach upset.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
The film primarily follows Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), a Facebook employee in the company’s civic integrity team, the group tasked with making sure Facebook acts responsibly and avoids the harmful impacts of its product.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

After the Great Depression, school districts revisited the idea during the energy crisis of the 1970s, following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the painful years of stagflation that followed.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS HIDDEN ILLNESS — Country star reveals the painful symptom that led to cancer diagnosis.

— , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

That's on the heels of a 41-7 blowout at Northwestern that was ugly enough for Deion Sanders to dismiss a handful of players for conduct detrimental to the team days later.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
To that point, Carter wrote that if the NFL’s relationship with Fanatics were detrimental to the marketplace, there would be higher prices for consumers.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of detrimental

Adjective

The policy of sending them to a third country has been condemned as harsh and cruel.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Eight men were killed via gassing until an Alabama district judge ruled the execution method unconstitutionally cruel, in June; the Supreme Court has maintained the block.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

But for the most part, both are getting their points across, landing a few licks and, so far, avoiding the sort of major gaffe or damaging moment that could reshape the race.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The region stretching from North Dakota to Texas contains a large share of the country’s beef production, Hanson said, making prolonged drought there particularly damaging.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

Meanwhile, the financial clout of the industry has grown considerably, resulting in a new, more dangerous problem.

— Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Attempting to de-escalate the scare, Rospotrebnadzor declared the regional sanitary situation stable after secondary testing showed no traces of dangerous pathogens linked to Shipilova’s research.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Retaliation is described as an adverse employment action connected to an activity protected by a law under its jurisdiction.

— William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Eating Sweetened Foods With Protein Eating protein alongside sugary snacks can help stabilize your blood sugar and minimize the spikes that lead to a host of adverse health effects.

— Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of adverse

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hurt (for)

hurtful

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“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurtful

adjective

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