wounding

ADJECTIVE

barbed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

biting pointed stinging

STRONG

piercing spiked

WEAK

hurtful sharp

Antonyms

STRONGEST

mild nice

WEAK

complimentary flattering

ADJECTIVE

cutting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acerbic barbed biting caustic piercing pointed sarcastic sardonic scathing stinging trenchant

STRONG

acid bitter incisive penetrating raw sharp

WEAK

acrimonious hurtful malicious probing severe

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm gentle kind mild nice soothing

STRONG

bland

WEAK

pleasant

ADJECTIVE

grievous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appalling atrocious calamitous damaging deplorable dire dreadful egregious flagrant glaring heinous intolerable lamentable monstrous outrageous shameful shocking tragic unbearable

WEAK

afflicting agonizing dismal disquieting distressing disturbing grave harmful heart-rending heavy hurtful injurious mournful offensive onerous oppressive pathetic pitiful sad sharp sorrowful taxing tough troublesome upsetting villainous weighty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acceptable bearable blessed comforting concealed delightful favorable fortunate good happy hidden little lucky magnificent mild pleasing tolerable wonderful

WEAK

harmless pleasant

ADJECTIVE

hurtful

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

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aiding assisting beneficial friendly helpful kind safe

WEAK

harmless helping nice relieving

ADJECTIVE

tart

Synonyms

STRONG

acid astringent caustic cutting dry sharp short

WEAK

acerb acerbic acetose acidulous acrimonious barbed biting harsh nasty piquant pungent scathing snappish snappy snippy tangy testy trenchant vinegary

Antonyms

STRONG

bland calm kind mild nice

WEAK

sweet

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.

“There are just so many wounding and damaging revelations.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

What an interesting conclusion, considering her refusal to take accountability for other mistakes, including the show’s heartless depiction of Sullivan’s wounding.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

The loss of Wales would be psychologically deeply wounding for Labour.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Second, wounding or completely killing off universal injections would create perverse incentives for a president who operates in bad faith.

From Slate • May 15, 2025

“They aimed at wounding more than Harriet,” said he.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

wounding

Example Sentences

Related Words