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
Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.
—
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
There were some things that were said publicly that were hurtful, but sometimes relationships are rocky like that.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
Barajas said the news is hurtful to the program and the future of diversity on campus.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
There were some things that were said publicly that were hurtful, but sometimes relationships are rocky like that.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
Barajas said the news is hurtful to the program and the future of diversity on campus.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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According to a five-pillar plan shared with CNBC, Cruz also aims to create federal standards for AI, prevent AI from being used in harmful ways such as scams, allow free speech and address ethical concerns.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Nonfiction narratives that students both read and produce serve as counter-narratives to the oppressive and harmful tropes in media more generally about Black girls and girlhood.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Now supposedly dying from some terminal illness, Julian has gone total hermit mode inside of his cluttered London apartment, where the walls are festooned with the relics of his success and the backrooms are a junk pile of painful memories.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
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Dig a little deeper by comparing your top three financial goals and sharing your most painful and joyous money memories.—
Mary Clements Evans,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, from an AI duality perspective, there is also a solid chance that AI can be detrimental to mental health.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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These die-offs have caused detrimental imbalances within the habitats.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The cruel irony is that the very systems designed to promote inclusion can inadvertently reinforce exclusion.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Trump is never shy of responding to criticism that is damaging to him from any source.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Historical accounts include stories of big storms and damaging winds and surf, but the modern record begins in 1950.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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The potential adverse consequences to entrepreneurs when well-being is disregarded are well-documented.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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