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
This is clearly an attempt to refute the common—and correct—argument that tariffs are regressive, or disproportionately hurtful to lower-income people.
—
Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
People have explained Davidson’s disability ad nauseam, but that commentary has been a hurtful reminder that Black personhood is a constant afterthought.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Will that influence be fruitful or hurtful?
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Gymnast Simone Biles has used similar words in describing the dangers of forgetting that athletes are people too—individuals who experience the same pressure, anxieties, and pain from hurtful remarks and uninformed criticism as anyone else.
—Alice Park, Time, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
People have explained Davidson’s disability ad nauseam, but that commentary has been a hurtful reminder that Black personhood is a constant afterthought.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Will that influence be fruitful or hurtful?
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Gymnast Simone Biles has used similar words in describing the dangers of forgetting that athletes are people too—individuals who experience the same pressure, anxieties, and pain from hurtful remarks and uninformed criticism as anyone else.
—Alice Park, Time, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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Giamanco said the Civil Liability for Doxing Act protects a citizen from being deliberately targeted with false and harmful material.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Attorneys for Meta dispute the claims and say the company incorporates protections for teenagers and weeds out harmful content, while also acknowledging that some potentially harmful posts get past its safety nets.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Both seasons were painfully funny (often just painful), but the humor sometimes got lost as time has proven even its most over-the-top bits eerily correct.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The show without Teresa would have been detrimental to the franchise’s future.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
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Excess pollution of nutrients into waterways fuel harmful algal blooms, which can be detrimental to manatees and other aquatic life.—
Elizabeth Neville,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some countries have laws administering what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
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While Tony coddles his own bruised ego, there is clearly a greater reason for the cruel hijinks, which comes in the form of some significant cash.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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In neighboring Croatia, winds swept through the capital of Zagreb on Thursday afternoon and overnight, crashing trees, damaging city tram lines and roofs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
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Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Interestingly, this new Wi-Fi chip could finally enable the wireless control needed to make these dangerous cleanups faster and safer.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
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The chief medical officer for Huntington Beach Fire said the Southern Pacific rattlesnake found locally can produce a highly dangerous neurotoxic venom.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Whether to report adverse events — illnesses or deaths potentially related to the products — to the FDA is largely at manufacturers’ discretion.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Fugitives are allowed the first shot lest the officer face investigation, charges, interrogation by attorneys, and even adverse public opinion.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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