HURTFUL Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

hurtful

adjective

ˈhərt-fəl

Definition of hurtful

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

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

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 hurtful Hearing those comments from a friend must have been incredibly hurtful and embarrassing for her. — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 15 June 2026 But the most heartbreaking scenes are of Bonnie, who is distraught and tearful after receiving hurtful messages online. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026 If Sage Haven’s AI moderation system flags a text your child is about to send as potentially hurtful, the app pauses the message. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 25 May 2026 Although Sarah reportedly intended references such as borrowing Diana's shoes to be humorous, royal commentators said Diana found the passage deeply hurtful. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurtful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtful

Adjective

The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
At the same time, its flowers attract beneficial predatory insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, that naturally hunt harmful garden pests.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

And that says something painful about what my country has become, and my place in it.

— Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

And beneath the surface of those turquoise waters, marine life continues on without knowing their life is colliding in detrimental-to-them ways.

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Substance abuse is greatly detrimental in its own right, of course, but sometimes the issues that stem from it—stress, emotional exhaustion, secrecy, avoidance—can have similarly devastating long-term effects on a person’s wellbeing.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026

Definition of detrimental

Adjective

The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

Each specimen was weighed and put in the same-sized containers filled with superworm larvae to determine the optimal ratio of larvae to specimen for thorough cleaning without damaging bones.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026
And such a gap can be far more damaging than any technology shortfall.

— Eugenia Mykuliak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.

— Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.

— David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of adverse

Browse Nearby Words

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“Hurtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtful. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurtful

adjective

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