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
These claims are not only untrue but also deeply hurtful.
—
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Watson and Radcliffe have consistently voiced support for transgender rights, sometimes in direct contrast to Rowling reiterating hurtful rhetoric that is tied to the TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) movement, which posits the belief that trans women are not women.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
In a later post, police said that Lee’s death was deeply hurtful for the community.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
His message was overdue and validating to some but polarizing and hurtful to others.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Watson and Radcliffe have consistently voiced support for transgender rights, sometimes in direct contrast to Rowling reiterating hurtful rhetoric that is tied to the TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) movement, which posits the belief that trans women are not women.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
In a later post, police said that Lee’s death was deeply hurtful for the community.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
His message was overdue and validating to some but polarizing and hurtful to others.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
-
Back in August, OpenAI published an update to ChatGPT with stronger controls on the bot’s responses to certain conversational topics amid mounting concern that some users are building harmful emotional attachments to chatbots.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
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This proposal, Pudelski believes, could be the most harmful for schools and educators.—
Sequoia Carrillo,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Past disasters have left a painful mark for many, but they’re connected by strong community ties and have come together at vigils to honor and pray for the victims.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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But the film is most moving in its quieter moments, when the longest and most painful goodbye mellows into something like acceptance, tinged with gratitude for the moments that remain to be lived.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Yankees lost a bidding war with the New Yorke Mets in the offseason for Soto and his departure proved to be detrimental to both parties.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
12 Oct. 2025
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This is detrimental to their economy.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In Dahl’s original story, the Muggle-Wumps are clever and resourceful, using their smarts to turn the tables on their cruel captors.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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On the page, these serve to paint him in a monstrous light following his abandonment by his egotistical and cruel creator, Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac).—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The organization is also working with ranchers to establish prescribed burn associations to manage the damaging plants and is organizing community cutting days to reduce woody encroachment further.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Strong winds capable of knocking out power and damaging or uprooting trees are the biggest threat, though there’s enough spin in the atmosphere to generate isolated tornadoes that can form quickly with little advance warning.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Why do some chocolate bars exhibit complex flavor notes like floral, caramel, and gentle woody, while others taste harsh, bitter, and astringent?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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Where rallies are taking place Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hat tips go to left tackle Jaylon Moore — who stepped in for Josh Simmons at the last minute, against one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league — and, of course, Kelce.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
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Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kalshi’s proclamations about geolocation expenses having a serious adverse effect on its budget are disputed by people and companies from the gambling establishment.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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For the descendants of fired, demoted, and aspiring civil servants, the adverse economic effects persisted for generations.—
Time,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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