Definitions

hurtful

[hurt-fuhl] / ˈhɜrt fəl /

ADJECTIVE

injurious, cruel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

damaging dangerous destructive detrimental distressing harmful malicious nasty pernicious prejudicial unkind upsetting

WEAK

aching afflictive bad cutting deadly deleterious disadvantageous evil hurting mean mischievous nocuous noxious ominous poisonous spiteful wounding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aiding assisting beneficial friendly helpful kind safe

WEAK

harmless helping nice relieving

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I do agree with you on one thing: Hurtful comments are impossible to take back.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 27, 2025

"Hurtful was the look from Whoopi, but she rebounded."

From Fox News • Oct. 7, 2021

"It was bad. Hurtful to many Philadelphians. Our Trans Citizens do not deserve this type of satire/insult. #Berespectful," Kenney tweeted.

From US News • Jan. 2, 2016

Offence, robust of limb, And treading firm the ground, outstrips them all, And over all the earth before them runs, Hurtful to man.

From Mosaics of Grecian History by Willson, Marcius

Offence, robust of limb,625 226 And treading firm the ground, outstrips them all, And over all the earth before them runs Hurtful to man.

From The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by William Cowper by Cowper, William

hurtful

Example Sentences

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