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
Lawren, who plays varsity basketball, is still recovering from bruises to her shoulder, arm and back according to the notice. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Thomas showed photos to CBS News Chicago Investigators of blood left behind from the gash to the back of his head, and scrapes and bruises to his face. — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Verb
Wittily bruising us with that fact, Spielberg opens with a POV of a wrestler kicking the audience in the face. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 Fruits such as strawberries and raspberries have a narrow harvest window and can bruise easily during picking, transportation and storage. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 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
  • Made-from-scratch cheesecake doesn’t seem so hard when made as cupcakes where there’s no water bath, springform pan, and long chilling time required.
    — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
  • The report's authors said the case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of scratch
Noun
  • Three people were in the silver Chevrolet truck, and all managed to escape with minor cuts and scrapes, the sheriff’s office said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Open wounds include recent cuts and scrapes, surgery sites, and recent tattoos and piercings.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of scrape
Verb
  • He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.
    — Nasser Karimi, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • He reportedly was wounded in the attack that killed his father and has not been seen publicly since the war began.
    — NASSER KARIMI, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2026
Definition of wound
Noun
  • Closer Carlos Estévez was sidelined with a left-foot contusion.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
  • The woman was transported to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a contusion and evaluated for a possible concussion.
    — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of contusion
Noun
  • The officer suffered fractured ribs, abrasions and bruising and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment, police said.
    — Mauricio Maldonado, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Standardized fabric-durability tests measure how many abrasion cycles a fabric withstands before showing wear, and textile-testing services could use them to estimate garment longevity and generate CPW labels next to the price.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
Definition of abrasion
Verb
  • The deep, gashing wounds left behind by the wolves’ claws and teeth had went untreated.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026
  • When both gashed their elbow skin open on the 4S Ranch 10U all-star team.
    — Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Definition of gash
Noun
  • Fox Sports’ record-breaking soccer audiences are not a one-off World Cup bump, but the return on a long production build.
    — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • There were 65 citations, a substantial bump from only 24 the year before.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of bump
Verb
  • They’re designed with a sleek flat front, a mid-rise elastic waistband, a slightly loose leg opening, and small side slits for a comfortable, relaxed fit.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
  • Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bruise

Nglish: Translation of bruise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bruise

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