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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hurtful
There have certainly been times where the intention is to be hurtful.
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Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 28 Nov. 2024
Often inadvertently, actions and behaviors can be perceived as hurtful, which can lead to conflict.
—Anna Shields, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
This volatile self-expression can be hurtful to others, so make an effort to channel this furious passion into other places.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Oct. 2024
However, even worse than saying nothing about taxes is a settlement agreement that is affirmatively hurtful about taxes.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hurtful 
Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 28 Nov. 2024
Often inadvertently, actions and behaviors can be perceived as hurtful, which can lead to conflict.
—Anna Shields, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
This volatile self-expression can be hurtful to others, so make an effort to channel this furious passion into other places.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Oct. 2024
However, even worse than saying nothing about taxes is a settlement agreement that is affirmatively hurtful about taxes.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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Targeting children with a harmful product and lying about its safety violates the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, said Skrmetti.Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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Although the kidneys should flush any harmful products out of the system, large quantities can be damaging, and could even lead to kidney failure.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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After all, a ring that is too big can easily slip off, while a ring that’s too small can be painful.Shelby Wax, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
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Other ministers told their flocks that God was present even in painful, traumatic moments.Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Yet the uptick in travel to the ends of Earth has a detrimental impact on the environment, further exacerbating the impact of the climate crisis on fragile ecosystems.Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
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In revealing how the prairie was consumed by colonization and agricultural practices time has proven detrimental, Smarsh’s piece is equal parts fascinating history and ecology lesson.Longreads, Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Some Rochester residents disagree and find their city’s methods excessively cruel to the birds.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024
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By the time Lovely Runner’s series finale dropped in late May, millions of K-drama fans around the world had become invested in the story of Sol and Sun-jae, desperate to find out if their love could withstand the cruel vagaries of fate.Kayti Burt, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Triggering a damaging government shutdown would hurt families who are gathering to meet with their loved ones and endanger the basic services Americans from veterans to Social Security recipients rely on.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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Some of the strongest evidence comes from lab studies using animals as well as what's already known about the damaging effects of chemicals added to plastics.Will Stone, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Relying on harsh overhead lighting can cause a room to feel clinical and cold while too few lights make a room feel dim and sleepy.Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024
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In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours in November 1903.Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Women by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press: $30) An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time.The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
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The night was a downhill slope, a movement in woeful reverse, a tidal pull back into the tumult and dangerous madness of what must now be called the era of Trump.Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While no adverse health effects have been reported, consumers are advised not to consume these items and to either throw them away or return them.Anissa Reyes, Baltimore Sun, 26 Dec. 2024
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Alcon Laboratories, which manufacturers the eye drops, has not received any reports of customers suffering adverse effects, the FDA said.Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hurtful
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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