1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of hurtful
All visitors who paid for entry were told that only kind words would be tolerated, and any hurtful words or curses would result in immediate expulsion from the tent.
—
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Traditionally, the style focuses on making jabs at someone’s appearance or identity, welcoming hurtful comments that punch down on someone when done without thoughtfulness.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Others view it as something deeply hurtful.
—Joe Davidson
may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
This is hurtful and bothers me a lot.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Traditionally, the style focuses on making jabs at someone’s appearance or identity, welcoming hurtful comments that punch down on someone when done without thoughtfulness.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Others view it as something deeply hurtful.
—Joe Davidson
may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
This is hurtful and bothers me a lot.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
-
In the layer of the upper atmosphere called the stratosphere, the gas creates a protective layer that shields Earthlings from harmful ultraviolet rays.—
Jeanna Bryner,
Scientific American,
8 June 2026
-
The data center near Quindaro doesn’t have the capacity to be as harmful as the center out west, and the impacts of having a data center in Quindaro wouldn’t equate to the same health risks as having a coal plant did, Gorman said.—
Sofi Zeman
June 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
He’s gone through the painful, laborious and expensive process of having his tattoos removed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
Like Sasse, most people in the trial experienced a rash (though just 15% had a severe case), and over half had nausea or painful sores in their mouths and throats.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
However, be careful when choosing which plants to prune, as getting the timing wrong can be detrimental.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
1 June 2026
-
In this instance, using the AI advice could be detrimental to their livelihood.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The immigrant-detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, deep in the Florida Everglades, stands out as a uniquely cruel publicity stunt with an absurdly high price tag, in which much of the money goes into just a few pockets.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
Therefore, a second execution would not violate the prohibition on double jeopardy or on the imposition of cruel punishment.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The suspects were arrested and have been charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with damaging phone, electrical or utility lines, felony vandalism and grand theft.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
The fires blazed near Interstate 84 between mileposts 13 and 17 and between Southeast 8th and 9th avenues off of Sand Hollow Road, according to a news release, after a powerful storm system with high, damaging winds blew through the Treasure Valley.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The flap has also brought harsh criticism from prominent people in Miami, including former Democratic congressman Joe Garcia.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Without excessive optimism, in a world that is becoming harsher, the Festival, on the contrary, is opening up and improving.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Yet oil futures have not skyrocketed to the dangerous levels forecasters feared — at least not yet.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Financial watchdogs view telecoms acting as dangerous regulatory arbitrage, fearing that seamless digital wallets are a backdoor for capital flight.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
DeVries also feels that seniors should not hesitate to file police reports to document adverse incidents.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
-
The drug is designed to rapidly block platelets from clumping and restricting blood flow, lessening the adverse outcomes of a heart attack.—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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