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
Dolores’ impact, like that of many other activists, will continue to guide us, regardless of the hurtful behavior of any one individual.
—
Gloria Steinem, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
And ultimately, any negative or hurtful comments about the final design landscape should never reach the bride's ears.
—Nancy Mattia, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026
Early, hurtful experiences can cause children to see the world differently and to react in seemingly unpredictable ways.
—Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
In an open letter funded by his Yeezy brand and published in a January edition of The Wall Street Journal, the rapper claimed his hurtful remarks and erratic behavior were caused by bipolar disorder.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Gloria Steinem, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
And ultimately, any negative or hurtful comments about the final design landscape should never reach the bride's ears.
—Nancy Mattia, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026
Early, hurtful experiences can cause children to see the world differently and to react in seemingly unpredictable ways.
—Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
In an open letter funded by his Yeezy brand and published in a January edition of The Wall Street Journal, the rapper claimed his hurtful remarks and erratic behavior were caused by bipolar disorder.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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But research has shown that several metabolic and heart diseases impair the immune system’s ability to moderate inflammation—causing harmful levels of inflammation in response to high cholesterol, fat or glucose.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
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Today, 87% of agricultural subsidies are environmentally or socially harmful.—
Carlos Alvarado Quesada,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Every labored breath and painful cough is a reminder that their parents did everything right and relied on the immunity of those around them.—
Sarah Marsicek,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Bruins’ have suffered more dramatically painful losses on home ice in recent memory.—
Stephen Conroy,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Too much fertilizer can be detrimental to this wildflower.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
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Indeed, a large body of research has documented the detrimental impact of negative news on individuals’ mental and physical health, attitudes, and behaviors.—
Karen McIntyre,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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Every day in New York City, thousands of home attendants are being forced to work cruel 24-hour shifts while being paid for only 13 of those hours.—
Christopher Marte,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Primary storm hazards include locally damaging wind gusts, with low hazards for hail and a tornado.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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Brief damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines over small areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Accusations were made, lawsuits were filed, harsh words were spoken and feelings were hurt.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
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It’s prized for sculpting a high-definition lip that holds up under the harshest red-carpet lighting.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The procedures noted that in some cases, outing students to parents could be dangerous to their health and well-being, and school officials should ask the students for consent to notify their parents of the support plan.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The world is more dangerous for leaders, across multiple dimensions.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Additionally, there were no serious adverse effects reported.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
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There were no concerns over safety or adverse events.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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