hurtful

adjective

ˈhərt-fəl How to pronounce hurtful (audio)
Definition of hurtfulnext
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

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 hurtful This was extremely hurtful to me. — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 20 June 2026 But the most heartbreaking scenes are of Bonnie, who is distraught and tearful after receiving hurtful messages online. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Although Sarah reportedly intended references such as borrowing Diana's shoes to be humorous, royal commentators said Diana found the passage deeply hurtful. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 That's just hurtful and not honest. — Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
  1. harmful
  2. painful
  3. detrimental
  4. cruel
  5. damaging
  6. harsh
  7. dangerous
  8. adverse
Adjective
  • California was among dozens of states that sued Meta in 2023, alleging in a lawsuit that the social media giant intentionally designed harmful and addictive features to hook children while misleading the public about the dangers.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The report said the company was strengthening its research infrastructure, increasing monitoring and improving safeguards designed to prevent harmful or unintended behavior.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmful
Adjective
  • Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Its absence does not make the eventual adjustment less painful.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Being full of yourself isn’t detrimental but necessary for survival.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The settlement also requires limits on features that some experts believe are detrimental to teenagers’ self-esteem and self-image.
    — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of detrimental
Adjective
  • Having Sheridan actually be a cruel person was one of the key audience expectations the writer-director hoped to flip in the pursuit of laughs.
    — William Earl, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But Triage does have a moment in which an ember of the old cruel optimism flickers.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Missing, say, 30 games would likely not be as damaging as missing half a season, or a whole season.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Strong El Niño events, such as the one revving up in the tropical Pacific, have rarely spared the Golden State from significant and damaging consequences.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of damaging
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The report identified adverse effects on dozens of historic properties, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and other landmarks.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of adverse

Browse Nearby Words

hurt (for)
hurtful
hurtfully
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Cite this Entry

“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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