injury

noun

in·​ju·​ry ˈin-j(ə-)rē How to pronounce injury (audio)
plural injuries
Synonyms of injurynext
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

Synonyms of injury

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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
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.
Rookie Carver Willis got first-team reps at right guard, and Jordan James saw action with the second team after missing time with a rib injury. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026 The latest setback comes at a time when Toronto is already managing a lengthy injury list, making organizational depth especially important. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Saucier said Solomon’s injury involved a sharp object but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation into the officer’s death. — Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 This reading may be plausibly explained by the winter weather and by the effects of a catastrophic spinal-cord injury. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for injury

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

Phrases Containing injury

Browse Nearby Words

injurious
injury
injury-prone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/injury. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of injury for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about injury

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