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 But the most heartbreaking scenes are of Bonnie, who is distraught and tearful after receiving hurtful messages online. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Although Sarah reportedly intended references such as borrowing Diana's shoes to be humorous, royal commentators said Diana found the passage deeply hurtful. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 That's just hurtful and not honest. — Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 That kind of feedback is harmful, hurtful and no substance for what needs to change. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurtful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful

Adjective

Several dietary supplements were recalled in July because of possible undeclared prescription drugs, harmful bacteria or allergens.

— Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026
The air district is warning residents that wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants, adding that exposure is unhealthy, even for short periods of time.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

But for Tran’s family, the arrest revisited a painful, complicated chapter of their lives.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Many have called for empathy and compassion for the situation, while others struggle to reconcile calls for grace with Hilton’s history of profiting from celebrities’ most painful moments.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

The reduction in state investments and holding back promised funding to cover our faculty raises will have detrimental consequences to our institution, to us as students, and to the state’s future health care workforce.

— Opinion, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026
This development was approved after years of environmental studies and reviews by multiple state regulatory agencies and the Pittsburg City Council that concluded that there was no detrimental impact on the environment.

— CBS News, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of detrimental

Adjective

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected Wednesday into Thursday morning, with a few storms capable of damaging winds and heavy downpours, the National Weather Service said.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
A couple of those storms could become severe, with damaging winds and torrential downpours.

— Rachael Jay, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

The plan would sanction top Russian leaders and introduce harsh new penalties on nations that purchase oil and natural gas from Russia.

— Claudia Grisales, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Lebson and Richards ⁠denied that allegation, saying that Robert Gilman was held in extremely harsh conditions, tortured and injected with mind-altering drugs by guards, treatment that led to his transfer to the civilian hospital.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Despite Penta's aggressive offense and dangerous maneuvers, Gable persevered, ultimately making Penta submit with a decisive ankle lock, securing a triumphant and emotional victory.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Three wildfires are burning in Spokane County, Washington, and thousands of families have been ordered to flee their homes overnight, as state officials warn of an incredibly dangerous situation and brace for what daylight may reveal.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

The adverse weather in Auckland limited the group’s freedom to explore, but there were no such constraints in Sydney’s winter sun.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Islamabad — Rescuers searching for 10 climbers missing after an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak located four bodies Friday and were continuing to search for the others despite adverse weather that hampered helicopter flights, officials said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of adverse

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hurt (for)

hurtful

hurtfully

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“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurtful

adjective

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