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
But there were several hurtful missed tackles Monday and confusion on two plays when Indiana bunched receivers on one side.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Her comments on my weight were partially hurtful to me.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
So, just a reminder that, what may seem like a bit of fun, can be hurtful.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
The joke would have been particularly hurtful to Sweeney, who was already feeling isolated as the only gay member of the cast — indeed, the only out gay actor on network TV.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Her comments on my weight were partially hurtful to me.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
So, just a reminder that, what may seem like a bit of fun, can be hurtful.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
The joke would have been particularly hurtful to Sweeney, who was already feeling isolated as the only gay member of the cast — indeed, the only out gay actor on network TV.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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While skepticism toward artificial intelligence is understandable, dismissing AI as inherently harmful overlooks both history and reality.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Regulators will examine whether Grok is living up to its obligations under the Digital Services Act, the bloc’s wide-ranging rulebook for keeping internet users safe from harmful content and products.—
Kelvin Chan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Proper skin preparation is key to making your wax sessions less painful.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
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The high fevers, hospitalizations, and dehydration that these illnesses cause can be painful and disruptive—and, with vaccines, avoidable.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What’s more, inability to heal these relationships can be detrimental to physical and emotional well-being, and even longevity.—
Richard Balkin,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
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Yet none of those losses, Gottlieb points out, has been all that detrimental to the Trojans’ tournament resume.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
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An old 4chan meme designed as a cruel caricature has somehow become the face of clueless commentators asking for context.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Spending six months in discussion with investors who delay decisions or funding can be deeply damaging to a young company.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The storm is part of a major, widespread winter system that's likely to spread damaging ice and heavy snow across several southern states, like Texas and Oklahoma, into the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic states.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
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The origin of clemency is understood through the Federalist Papers as a need for mercy in instances when the criminal justice system was too harsh.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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More than a billion phones are now ineligible for security updates at a time when the threat landscape has never been more dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The church opened its warming center over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the winter storm and the dangerous drop in temperatures.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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For example, statins are known to be one of the most efficacious treatments to lower LDL and have shown remarkable impact in reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The extra calories can help their bodies keep them warm, but they should not be overfed, which can have an adverse effect.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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