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
In a matter of minutes the best of friends go from being giggling buddies to making bitchy remarks, then hurtful revelations, all with little motivation or sense.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
After his family was targeted with hurtful comments on social media during last season's AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, Schlittler responded with a dominant performance.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Dolores’ impact, like that of many other activists, will continue to guide us, regardless of the hurtful behavior of any one individual.
—Gloria Steinem, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
And ultimately, any negative or hurtful comments about the final design landscape should never reach the bride's ears.
—Nancy Mattia, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
After his family was targeted with hurtful comments on social media during last season's AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, Schlittler responded with a dominant performance.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Dolores’ impact, like that of many other activists, will continue to guide us, regardless of the hurtful behavior of any one individual.
—Gloria Steinem, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
And ultimately, any negative or hurtful comments about the final design landscape should never reach the bride's ears.
—Nancy Mattia, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
-
The physical displacement drives the flow of CSF through the brain’s tissues, potentially carrying away harmful waste products.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
None of this makes AI harmful in itself.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
His two more physical characters were delightful to watch, like a navy admiral addicted to spit takes, as well as a substitute teacher subjecting his students to painful dancing.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
-
The global outbreak of the coronavirus and its painful memories are very much at the forefront of peoples minds here in Tenerife, where local leaders have vehemently contested the disembarkation, and some of the local population has gathered in protest over the past few days.—
Vasco Cotovio,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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And the dejected diehard of a downtrodden franchise isn’t truly stuck in a one-sided detrimental relationship.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2026
-
That interpretation could suggest the mayor of the county’s second-largest city would be prohibited from passing legislation or speaking out against federal laws that may be detrimental to many Chula Vistans.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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In Sylvie’s imagination, Nita becomes Anna, a sultry beauty with a cruel streak who has been dating the meek Christophe (Niney) while secretly engaging in an affair with their married boss, Pierre (Cassel).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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The first major climb of any Grand Tour is usually a cruel dose of reality — where teams, having built around a rider over the previous week, suddenly realise those sacrifices might have been in vain.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Storms could be strong and organized, bringing all severe weather threats — tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds — and downpours will also be possible, the Weather Service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
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Why Migrations Generate Headaches One of the most damaging aspects of migration happens in the human aspect of the business.—
Thomas Berndorfer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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To fully embody her OnlyFans persona, an earthside alien named The Hungry Ghost, who offers mild nudity and harsh criticism of her willing subscribers’ genitalia.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Battista and Tucker are two of the most dangerous hitters in the state.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
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If Iran gets away with charging any kind of toll or fee for passing through it, that principle is shot, and that is a dangerous thing.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Post-Adverse Outcome Disclosure Obligations The replacement bill also creates disclosure obligations after an adverse outcome.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Prolonged stress can have adverse consequences, especially for pregnant mothers, children and critically ill patients.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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