hurtful

adjective

hurt·ful ˈhərt-fəl

Synonyms of hurtful

: causing injury, detriment, or suffering : damaging

hurtfully

ˈhərt-fə-lē

adverb

hurtfulness noun

Examples of hurtful in a Sentence

She can't forgive him for the hurtful things he said. Their comments were really hurtful to me.

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.

Sensing his son’s remorse for his hurtful words, dad was then able to have what seemed to be a helpful conversation with him about consent, accountability, and what to do when teasing crosses the line. — Christian Dashiell, Parents, 1 Aug. 2026 This doesn’t make everything OK, but what’s coming across as rude and hurtful to you may not be intentional exclusion. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 To have people tearing her down and making hurtful and untrue claims is bad enough but to drag her children into it is just beyond the pale. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 14 July 2026 This was extremely hurtful to me. — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurtful

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hurtful was in 1526

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

hurt for

hurtful

hurtle

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurtful. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hurtful

adjective

hurt·ful ˈhərt-fəl

: causing injury or suffering : damaging

hurtfully

-fə-lē

adverb

hurtfulness noun

hurtful

adjective

Synonyms of hurtful

Examples of hurtful in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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