bruise 1 of 2

noun

ˈbrüz How to pronounce bruise (audio)
Definition of bruisenext
1
as in scratch
a bodily injury in which small blood vessels are broken but the overlying skin is not she got quite a big bruise from walking into the corner of the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in scrape
an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface bruises caused by ill-fitting hiking boots

Synonyms & Similar Words

bruise

2 of 2

verb

as in to wound

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bruise
Noun
According to court records, police found Dunn deceased in a motel room with bruises on her body, including her neck and face, and her eyelids were swollen and discolored. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 Outfielder Victor Bericoto also is on the IL because of a bone bruise in his right knee. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
The operatives take the drives and release Jane, who is bruised and bloodied. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 Much of his speech and remarks from other officials speaking at the convention Friday focused on party unity after a bruising primary season, where Democrats are hoping to capitalize on what could be a vulnerable year for Republicans. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bruise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruise
  1. scratch
  2. scrape
  3. wound
  4. contusion
  5. abrasion
  6. gash
  7. bump
  8. slit
Noun
  • Jena Johnson’s daughter can expect one heckuva wedding after lottery officials said the Chatham County middle school teacher won a $10 million jackpot on a North Carolina scratch-off ticket.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Three of the jail guards sustained minor injuries and scratches, Bland said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of scratch
Noun
  • Pack a tube of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in your first aid kit instead of antibiotic ointment and remember to flush all scrapes and cuts with copious amounts of clean water before covering them with the jelly.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This follows previous scrapes of the dataset posted on Reddit (since taken down by the original poster) and the AI model clearinghouse Hugging Face.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of scrape
Verb
  • In 2021, a teen was arrested after wounding two students and injuring two others in a shooting at a high school in Newport News, Virginia.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • An Israeli strike on the backyard of a house in central Gaza killed one Palestinian and wounded another Saturday, according to health officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of wound
Noun
  • Police say the attack left the woman with a laceration on her lip, a contusion around her nose and an abrasion on her neck.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Jake Burger was hit by Johnson in the third inning and left the game after four innings with a left wrist contusion.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of contusion
Noun
  • Detectives noted that there were no marks or abrasions on her neck, the warrant affidavit said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The number one safety tip is to not add boiling water to the foot bath, resulting in burns or abrasions to the feet.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of abrasion
Verb
  • That was truly the only time the Panthers got gashed all afternoon.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Broncos’ offensive line consistently won the line of scrimmage, clearing paths for Denver running backs to gash the Falcons’ defense.
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of gash
Noun
  • Cloud then did a chest bump with teammate Aicha Coulibaly before turning around and walking in Kanter Freedom’s direction.
    — Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The iPhone 16 Pro jumped from $560 to $630, which is the largest bump in the iPhone lineup.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bump
Verb
  • Instead Justine shows up to slit his throat and take the baby from him, leaving him for dead; the child winds up disappearing with Holtz into a hell dimension.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In 2014 and 2017, there were very violent protests; people were burned alive, motorcyclists had their throats slit, health centers were set on fire, schools were set on fire.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
Definition of slit

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Cite this Entry

“Bruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruise. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bruise

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bruise

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