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
But returning to someone hurtful or manipulative can reinforce a harmful dynamic.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Begin apologizing profusely to her and your son for losing your temper and saying something so hurtful.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025
The Patriots would be much less likely to prioritize offense with the fourth pick in the draft and would make missing out on Travis Hunter less hurtful.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
That can include jokes about the comedians’ marriages—the kind of ragging that most people probably wouldn’t accept from their spouse in public, and that can be hurtful or sexist in the wrong context.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Begin apologizing profusely to her and your son for losing your temper and saying something so hurtful.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025
The Patriots would be much less likely to prioritize offense with the fourth pick in the draft and would make missing out on Travis Hunter less hurtful.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
That can include jokes about the comedians’ marriages—the kind of ragging that most people probably wouldn’t accept from their spouse in public, and that can be hurtful or sexist in the wrong context.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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Along the way, it is divulged that Saw has not been protecting himself with a gas mask from the harmful rhydonium fumes.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
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These are among the many casualties of the Trump administration's decision to level a research agency that has devoted much of its energy over the past five decades to reducing people's exposure to harmful chemicals and other dangerous conditions in the workplace.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The alternative — a world in which the United States and China no longer engage in trade — could be economically painful and destabilizing.—
Alan Rappeport,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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Appearance: The condition starts as small, extremely painful blisters on your shins (and sometimes your arms).—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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However, losing him for OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and more could be detrimental to establishing his chemistry with the offense.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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Pradeep Kumar Saxena, India’s former Indus Water Commissioner, told the Press Trust of India news agency in April that the country can stop sharing data with Pakistan after the pact’s suspension, which could be detrimental during monsoon season.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.—
Kica Matos,
Time,
2 May 2025
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But Church, who was profoundly affected by the 2023 Covenant school shooting in Nashville, imbues a real fear of what’s possibly around the corner in today’s cruel world.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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States in the Mid-Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, stretching all the way into parts of Pennsylvania and western New York, could see thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and a possible isolated tornado, the weather service said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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The trade put an end to a damaging few weeks for the team-player relationship between the Heat and Butler.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This garment gets exposed to harsher conditions than most clothing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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From adorable accents to cozy touches, drivers are increasingly looking for ways to make their commutes and grocery runs just a bit more enjoyable—perhaps to offset the harsh reality of gas prices (and everything else).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Maddison is responsible for dropping deep and pinging passes into dangerous areas, while Kulusevski and Bergvall are excellent ball-carriers.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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With all the drama unfolding at the Harrigan's, you could be forgiven for losing track of Harry's dangerous rescue mission.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Mowing too little or too much can have adverse consequences for the health of the lawn and can also encourage unwanted plants to grow.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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Additionally, the stock is perpetually vulnerable to adverse effects from unexpected increases in commodity costs or regulatory scrutiny concerning health claims associated with functional beverages.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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