Synonyms for
Hurtful
Definition
causing emotional or physical pain or harm
Synonyms & similar words
Synonyms by register
Antonyms
Common collocations
- hurtful words
- hurtful comments
- hurtful remarks
- hurtful to
- deeply hurtful
- truly hurtful
- unintentionally hurtful
Word family
Usage note
Hurtful describes something that causes emotional pain or distress. It is often used to describe words, actions, or comments that are intended to wound or offend.
Example sentences
- The hurtful words made him cry.
- It's not nice to say hurtful things to others.
- She felt hurtful emotions after the breakup.
- The hurtful behavior of the bullies needed to be stopped.
- Hurtful actions towards animals are not acceptable.
Quotes
Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble. - Yehuda Berg
The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use. - Washington Irving
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. - Unknown