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 An adult accompanying the child on their visit to the zoo was also injured. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025 Nobody was injured but damage was caused to the property’s entrance, police said. Reuters, CNN Money, 13 May 2025 Four people were injured and two were arrested in separate stabbings across Denver on Monday and Tuesday, according to the police department. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 13 May 2025 After years of lawsuits and courtroom drama, director Joel Souza (who was also injured in the incident) finished the movie (now in theaters and on demand). Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for injure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for injure
Verb
  • Gary said people who had their homes damaged in the March storms can apply online for federal assistance or meet with state and local officials in person.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2025
  • Could this dialing back up be artificially controlled when the brain is too damaged to do so itself?
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.
    John Cairney, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually this chokes air from the soil and restricts water movement, hurting the overall health of your lawn.
    Kate Puhala, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
  • The standoff threatens to dramatically disrupt trade between the world's two largest economies and hurt both economies.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 9 May 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
  • But both wound up attending St. Augustine Catholic Seminary boarding school in Michigan, studying at Villanova University in Philadelphia and earning divinity degrees together at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 11 May 2025
  • After leaving the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals wound their way through the labyrinth of Vatican halls, and Pope Leo XIV was on the balcony.
    Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.
    Brandi Jones, Health, 10 May 2025
  • This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.
    Amit Jhawar, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Photos showing Rihanna bloodied and bruised after the attack were leaked to the public at the time, forever altering Brown's reputation and kicking off more than a decade of legal troubles.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • At one point, Geoff decided to reprogram Ian’s foot switch, in part to cheer up Molly Holm, one of Ian’s nurses since 2008, who had bruised her ribs slipping on ice.
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Cops charged him with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired and refusing to take a Breathalyzer test.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
  • In late 2016, McNally had a stroke that paralyzed the right side of his body and impaired his ability to speak.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Injure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injure. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on injure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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