bruise

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin : contusion
b
: a similar injury to plant tissue
2
3
: an injury especially to the feelings
criticisms that left a bruise

bruise

2 of 2

verb

bruised; bruising

transitive verb

1
: to inflict an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin or a similar injury to plant tissue : to inflict a bruise (see bruise entry 1 sense 1) on : contuse
bruised her arm when he grabbed her
2
: to break down (leaves, berries, etc.) by pounding : crush
3
: wound, injure
especially : to inflict psychological hurt on
The professional and personal tumbles that have bruised your ego in the past 12 months are over. New Woman
4
a
: batter, dent
bruise armor
b
archaic : disable

intransitive verb

1
: to bear or show the effects of a bruise : to undergo bruising
her skin bruises easily
2
: to inflict a bruise

Examples of bruise in a Sentence

Noun He had a bad bruise on his leg after he fell. a bruise on an apple Verb She bruised her knee when she fell. I don't want to bruise anyone's feelings.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The motorist had multiple fractured ribs and bruises. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025 During spring training, it was learned that Smith played with a deep bone bruise in his right ankle for much of the 2024 season. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
Democrats mounted several wins and strong performances in the special elections in the lead-up to the 2024 general election, but saw bruising losses across the board last November. Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Mar. 2025 Mitchell Layton/Getty Images Hopes rested on the shoulders of two young phenoms who entered the league the year the lockout ended: Sidney Crosby, the divine 18-year-old Canadian drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and of course, Ovechkin, the bruising 20-year-old from Moscow. Becky Sullivan, NPR, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bruise

Word History

Etymology

Noun

noun derivative of bruise entry 2

Verb

Middle English brusen, brisen, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French bruiser, briser to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish bruid he shatters; Old English brȳsan to bruise; akin to Old Irish bruid, Latin frustum piece

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4b

Time Traveler
The first known use of bruise was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bruise. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

bruise

1 of 2 verb
bruised; bruising
1
a
: to cause a bruise on
b
: to become bruised
2
: to crush (as leaves or berries) by pounding
3
: to hurt the feelings of

bruise

2 of 2 noun
1
: an injury (as from a blow) in which the skin is not broken but is discolored from the breaking of small blood vessels that lie underneath the skin : contusion
2
: an injury to a plant or fruit that resembles a bruise

Medical Definition

bruise

1 of 2 verb
bruised; bruising

transitive verb

1
: to inflict a bruise on : contuse
2
: wound, injure
especially : to inflict psychological hurt on

intransitive verb

: to undergo bruising
she bruises easily

bruise

2 of 2 noun
1
: an injury transmitted through unbroken skin to underlying tissue causing rupture of small blood vessels and escape of blood into the tissue with resulting discoloration : contusion
2
: an injury especially to the feelings

More from Merriam-Webster on bruise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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