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.

Eight days later, Sotomayor issued an apology, saying her comment was inappropriate and hurtful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

"We don't even know if she took Tylenol during her pregnancy, but that was a hurtful moment for her."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

She said people have made hurtful comments to her.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Writing about the vandalism, Fergus said: "I'm devastated someone could be so cruel and hurtful to my James."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Theo taking Ma and Pa’s side is not only hurtful, it is terrifying.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman