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
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Recent Examples of hurtful
So eventually, unspoken frustrations (socks on the floor, too many nights out, a pattern of flakiness) build into resentment, which can leak out in the form of unproductive, passive-aggressive comments or more explosive, potentially hurtful blowups.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Jan. 2025
Engaging in playful teasing or inside jokes that are fun—but not hurtful— can help break the ice and foster intimacy without the heaviness that sometimes comes with serious conversations.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
These comments though likely not intended to be hurtful, can still impact you deeply.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Heather went on to point out all the hurtful things the women have said about one another.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hurtful 
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Jan. 2025
Engaging in playful teasing or inside jokes that are fun—but not hurtful— can help break the ice and foster intimacy without the heaviness that sometimes comes with serious conversations.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
These comments though likely not intended to be hurtful, can still impact you deeply.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Heather went on to point out all the hurtful things the women have said about one another.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hurtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful
Adjective
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Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.—
Kelly Tyko,
Axios,
10 Feb. 2025
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Many invasive species end up in U.S. ecosystems when people release aquarium pets that are harmful to native species.—
Kate Linderman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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An ultimate taboo, disclosing the impulse to kill one's child must be an unthinkably painful admission.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Watching De Zerbi trying to use a threadbare squad last season was painful at times.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to a new study from the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa, plastics are becoming the most prevalent form of pollution in the ocean, which can be detrimental to marine species and their habitat.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
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Losing this momentum will be very detrimental to finding the TRUTH, which is turning out to be a disaster for those involved in running our Government.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Immigrant advocates call those moves cruel and unnecessary.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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The current government’s purposeful misrepresentation and defamation of DEI in such a comprehensively cruel and malicious manner deserves nothing less than personal and communal outrage and resistance.—
Dr. Tony Lux,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But the idea of an inalienable Palestinian right to nation-state status is wobbly at best, and may be damaging to all sides.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Burney adds that this plant can be potentially damaging to the heart.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The protest was not politically motivated, but demonstrations in the country can sometimes lead to political unrest under the harsh regime.—
Brie Stimson,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
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The delays follow the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a warning over harsh weather for residents of Huntersville and Gastonia in North Carolina, which is also affecting the Charlotte Douglas Airport.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hamilton said that wind shear combined with an icy runway would make dangerous conditions for a flip.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
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Schools districts throughout Kentucky closed on Monday, citing flooded streets, dangerous travel conditions and power outages that impacted some 15,000 homes and businesses.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The unions argue that the offer fails to consider possible adverse consequences to the government's ability to function; sets an arbitrarily short deadline; and is pretext for removing and replacing workers on an ideological basis, among other things.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2025
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Ashwagandha may also have adverse effects on the thyroid gland.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hurtful
Cite this Entry
“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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