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
  • Her older brother, a successful economist, and her sister, a government lawyer, have repeatedly warned her that her outspokenness could damage not only her career but theirs.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Graffiti marred the exterior of City Hall, an Art Deco landmark built in 1928.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Signed in 2023 from Fenerbahce in his homeland, Guler’s debut season was marred by injuries.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • May hurt millions The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 4.8 million people could become uninsured from this provision alone.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • Clark got hurt at the end of that game and hasn’t suited up since.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 14 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
  • On June 12, 2016, a gunman’s rampage killed 49 people and wounded 53 others, turning the club into the scene of one of the nation’s worst mass shootings.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Since then, a series of shifts has reshaped the Middle East and weakened Iran and its proxies, the war in Gaza, Israel's decimation of the leadership of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the collapse of the Syrian regime, and now Israel's surprise attack.
    / CBS News, CBS News, 15 June 2025
  • Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, larger and sooner cuts are possible.
    Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Now, after last year’s bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon’s new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors.
    Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • The Rebellion cruised to the playoffs thanks to a combination of a powerful rushing game and a bruising defense.
    Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 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 22 Jun. 2025.

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