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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hurtful
If your partner normalizes hurtful behavior at the expense of your feelings, it’s bound to trigger the same patterns of stress and negativity, chipping away at the very foundation of your connection over time.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
As the story pings between the two women, and from London to various exotic European locales that the family’s wealth gives Cherry access to, the conflict gradually evolves from simple microaggressions to far more hurtful and dangerous activities.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Grief does make people do uncharacteristic things, and that can be hurtful to those who need care and compassion the most.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
As the story pings between the two women, and from London to various exotic European locales that the family’s wealth gives Cherry access to, the conflict gradually evolves from simple microaggressions to far more hurtful and dangerous activities.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Grief does make people do uncharacteristic things, and that can be hurtful to those who need care and compassion the most.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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Hendryx also said the move would lead to more environmental destruction, more local air and water pollution from mining sites, more pollution from power plants, more harmful contributions to climate change emissions, and other negative impacts.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The lack of structure could have harmful consequences for kids in the long run.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The result is the year’s most daring TV performance, rooted in a painful, just barely recognizable humanity.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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The company said its offering, akin to online tax preparation software, could help students maximize financial aid while making the application process less painful.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Overwatering mums is just as detrimental as underwatering.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
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Trump warned that major changes could occur — which could be detrimental to Democrats — if the government runs out of funding.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That’s actually the cruelest thing about them.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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The cold on August 27, 2011, was unprecedented—unbridled, utterly cruel.—
Mariana Enriquez
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Additional details about the texts could also be more damaging to Robinson's defense, Lazaro said.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The triumphant narrative began to fray when exceedingly harsh lockdown measures could no longer contain the spread of the virus, and the staggering human cost in the name of protecting lives defied all logic.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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There are no easy fixes, so figuring out how to cushion the harsh impact will be the basis of negotiations with other parties in the Japanese legislature, the Diet.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This neurological response evolved to keep our ancestors alive in genuinely dangerous situations.—
Anne-Laure Le Cunff,
Big Think,
29 Sep. 2025
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In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Concerns or reports of adverse effects can be directed to the FDA's Human Foods Program at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Such issues include severe weather impacts, adverse road conditions and trash buildups that pose a threat to human and/or wildlife health.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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