injure

Synonym Chooser

How is the word injure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of injure are damage, harm, hurt, impair, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

When might damage be a better fit than injure?

The words damage and injure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When is it sensible to use harm instead of injure?

Although the words harm and injure have much in common, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When can hurt be used instead of injure?

In some situations, the words hurt and injure are roughly equivalent. However, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When would impair be a good substitute for injure?

The words impair and injure can be used in similar contexts, but impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

When could mar be used to replace injure?

The meanings of mar and injure largely overlap; however, mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of injure Since the moment Ben got injured in 2019, our chances of being a true Super Bowl contender have been low. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Miguel Tapia Velázquez was critically injured in a shooting early Saturday morning in Fort Worth, according to police. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2025 Vandenberg is charged with transporting explosives in interstate commerce with the knowledge and intent that they would be used to kill, injure or intimidate individuals. Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 Five people were injured Tuesday morning in a crash at Denver International Airport involving an off-site parking shuttle bus, airport officials said. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for injure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for injure
Verb
  • Worn restorations: Dental fillings, crowns, and restorations can also become damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and raising the risk of tooth decay.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025
  • There is radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz facility, where an above-ground portion of the fuel enrichment plant was damaged after a military strike on June 13, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • They were marred by injuries throughout the season, having entered the season with somewhat high expectations.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Sunday night’s game was marred by an injury sustained by the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, who early in the first quarter went down with what would prove to be a torn Achilles tendon.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • This would hurt even the most polished comedy or the most clockwork heist movie, let alone one that hopes to be both.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025
  • The statement, signed by groups including the Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group and the Kenya Medical Association, said 83 of those hurt had serious injuries and at least eight protesters were treated for gunshot wounds.
    Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.
    Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.
    Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • Mortally wounded, Campbell sped off to the nearby corner of Givan and Palmer Aves.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel, and more than 500 wounded.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
    June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
  • Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Boyd made a sensational catch of a hard liner off the bat of J.P. Crawford to end the fifth, but his left shoulder was bruised on the play and manager Craig Counsell removed him after the inning.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Mowing too short and mowing with dull, bruising blades stresses the grass, inviting disease.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Damages to roots, caused by fertilizer burns or cultivation, can also be a factor in impairing nutrient and water uptake.
    Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • Mocktails also have the advantage of not impairing your judgment or motor skills the way alcohol can.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Injure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injure. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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