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
One of them told my mother that her spiritual adviser said that turning down an invitation was insulting and hurtful and should never be done.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
The word’s return has also been particularly hurtful to people with intellectual disabilities.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 8 May 2025
Cemetery management has been disrespectful and hurtful since day one.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
While the joke was always at the expense of an ignorant white character or a racist entertainment industry, context couldn’t outweigh the images’ hurtful impact.
—Judy Berman, Time, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
The word’s return has also been particularly hurtful to people with intellectual disabilities.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 8 May 2025
Cemetery management has been disrespectful and hurtful since day one.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
While the joke was always at the expense of an ignorant white character or a racist entertainment industry, context couldn’t outweigh the images’ hurtful impact.
—Judy Berman, Time, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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China has gone even further, requiring digital watermarks on synthetic media and directing platforms to swiftly remove harmful content — part of its broader strategy of centralized content control.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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The jury is still out on whether emulsifiers are harmful to the gut.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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And sometimes, that transformation, though painful, can deepen our capacity for compassion, connection, and appreciation for the precious gift of life itself.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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For millions of Americans, the road to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is slow and painful, sought only when symptoms become unmistakable.—
Louise Jacobsen Fisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Of course, not getting The Notebook was far from detrimental, as Witherspoon became a leading romantic comedy actress and starred in Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, Vanity Fair, Walk the Line and Just Like Heaven — all from 2001 to 2005.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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This change is especially detrimental to the daughter’s character, forcing Łubik to spend most of her performance hysterically responding to her mother’s actions.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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But then perhaps that is her unsatisfying but depressingly undeniable point: there is no challenging minds this small, behaviors this cruel, spirits this mean.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
30 May 2025
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The reason Evin is infamous is because of its terribly cruel high security detention centers that are poorly supervised by the Prison Chief.—
Jeff Kaufman,
Time,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Potent thunderstorms across the central and eastern U.S. this week could trigger flash floods, damaging winds and possible tornadoes as California prepares for its first heat wave of the season.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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Large hail and damaging winds are the primary threats, with a low (non-zero) tornado threat.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Instead of internalising every harsh comment, try reframing it as information about their inner world rather than a reflection of your worth.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Kilar’s bold moves and harsh comeuppance beg the question: In an age of uncertainty, should Hollywood look to innovative but potentially disruptive outsiders or elevate from within?—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Furthermore, is a reliance on new safety and driver assistance features potentially dangerous? Ford recall extends to over one million vehicles due to rearview camera issue Why are over a million Ford models included in NHTSA's recent recall notices?—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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