INJURY Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'injury' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of injury are grievance , injustice , and wrong . While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation. // libel constitutes a legal injury

Q: When could 'grievance' be used to replace 'injury'?

The synonyms grievance and injury are sometimes interchangeable, but grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint. // a list of employee grievances

Q: When is it sensible to use 'injustice' instead of 'injury'?

In some situations, the words injustice and injury are roughly equivalent. However, injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights. // the injustices suffered by the lower classes

Q: In what contexts can 'wrong' take the place of 'injury'?

While in some cases nearly identical to injury , wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice. // determined to right society's wrongs

injury

noun

ˈin-j(ə-)rē

Definition of injury

as in damage

something that causes loss or pain the harsh words were the worst injury that his father could inflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in injustice

unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this the state did the rancher an injury when it destroyed his herd of cattle without adequate proof that it was diseased

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun injury contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of injury are grievance, injustice, and wrong. While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

When could grievance be used to replace injury?

The synonyms grievance and injury are sometimes interchangeable, but grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

When is it sensible to use injustice instead of injury?

In some situations, the words injustice and injury are roughly equivalent. However, injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

In what contexts can wrong take the place of injury?

While in some cases nearly identical to injury, wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

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 injury Police said that the big rig driver was able to disconnect the tractor portion of the truck from the trailer and no injuries have been reported. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 The victim was rushed to Lincoln Hospital and was initially listed in stable condition, but later died from his injuries Tuesday. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Stewart played through a stress fracture in his foot throughout his freshman season after suffering the injury in August. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Tight end Cole Turner, who left practice early on Tuesday with an injury, didn’t participate in Wednesday’s session…. — Omar Kelly august 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for injury

Recent Examples of Synonyms for injury

Noun

If an account remains past due for several months, it could eventually be closed and cause further damage to your credit.

— Mike Winters, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
One year before his triumph in the 2026 US Open, Clark missed the cut at the same tournament and took his frustrations out on the Oakmont Country Club locker room, causing enough damage that the famous club outside Pittsburgh banned him for life.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of damage

Noun

Miley Cyrus Miley Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundation to fight injustices facing homeless and LGBTQ youth as well as other vulnerable populations.

— Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
To Kill a Mockingbird While Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, have become beloved characters of American literature, this novel’s true power lies in its heartbreaking account of race and injustice in the American South.

— Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of injustice

Noun

The federal case was based on allegations the social media giant misrepresented the extent of child mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The suit alleged that Meta designed Instagram with intentionally addictive features and exposed younger users to serious mental harm while misleading the public about the platform’s safety.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of harm

Noun

There are matches to win, obstacles to overcome, and a new ally in the form of Zelda (assuming Rebecca’s wrong to be a little suspicious about her attention).

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Rosenstock wrote in court filings that Salazar could not distinguish right from wrong or understand the nature of his actions because of his mental state.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrong

Noun

He was subsequently dismissed by Dior and, months later, found guilty by a French court of making public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The arrest came after Kelley Wolf had reportedly made a series of hostile social media posts, which featured insults and allegations against various friends and family, including her ex-husband, Wolf.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

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injurious

injury

injustice

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“Injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injury. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of injury

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