injury

noun

in·​ju·​ry ˈin-j(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
1
: hurt, damage, or loss sustained
2
a
: an act that damages or hurts : wrong
b
: violation of another's rights for which the law allows an action to recover damages
Choose the Right Synonym for injury

injustice, injury, wrong, grievance mean an act that inflicts undeserved hurt.

injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal 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

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

Examples of injury in a Sentence

Hikers need to take sensible precautions to prevent injury. She's concerned about the risk of injury to her reputation. The team has been weakened by illness and injury. Careless use of these tools can cause serious bodily injury. She survived the accident without injury. She fell and suffered an injury to her arm. His athletic career has been slowed by injuries.
Recent Examples on the Web Researchers believe that dandelion may reduce oxidative stress and reduce various liver injury biomarkers (like AST, ALT, and bilirubin).9 In animal research, dandelion has also been found to reduce liver fibrosis (scarring). Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024 Ohio transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke, one of the nation’s top players in the season’s first half, ignited the offense in a big-time way before sustaining a right thumb injury that required surgery and kept him out of the Washington game. Tom Layberger, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Taiwan authorities reported one death and 73 injuries from the storm as of Thursday afternoon. Associated Press, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024 SeaQuest, the aquarium chain facing multiple allegations of animal abuse and human injury and at the center of an ABC News investigation earlier this year, has closed its location in Fort Worth, Texas, according to multiple animal rights advocate groups and local reports. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for injury 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'injury.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English injurie, from Anglo-French, Latin injuria, from injurus injurious, from in- + jur-, jus right — more at just

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of injury was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near injury

Cite this Entry

“Injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/injury. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

injury

noun
in·​ju·​ry ˈinj-(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
1
: an act that damages or hurts : wrong
2
: hurt, damage, or loss received

Medical Definition

injury

noun
in·​ju·​ry ˈinj-(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
: hurt, damage, or loss sustained

Legal Definition

injury

noun
in·​ju·​ry
plural injuries
1
: an act that wrongs or harms another
specifically : a violation of a legally protected interest (as the physical or mental well-being, property, reputation, or rights of another) for which the law allows an action for legal or equitable relief
2
: hurt, damage, or loss sustained
Etymology

Latin injuria, from injurus injurious, from in- not + jur-, jus right

More from Merriam-Webster on injury

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