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Hurtful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hurtful

[หˆhษœหrtfษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Causing emotional pain or distress; harmful; detrimental.

Synonyms

cruel, damaging, offensive, painful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hurtful

Used when something causes emotional pain or distress.

  • Her hurtful words made him sad
  • The comment was hurtful to everyone in the room
painful

Used to describe physical or emotional pain that is difficult to endure.

  • It was a painful experience for everyone involved
  • The injury was very painful and took weeks to heal
damaging

Refers to something that causes physical, emotional, or reputational harm or loss.

  • The damaging rumors affected his career
  • Smoking is damaging to your health
offensive

Used when something causes someone to feel upset or insulted, often related to inappropriate behavior or language.

  • His joke was offensive to many people in the audience
  • The article contained offensive language
cruel

Describes behavior that intentionally causes suffering or pain, often used in a morally negative sense.

  • He was cruel to the animals, and everyone was horrified
  • Her actions were cruel and unkind

Examples of usage

  • It was hurtful to hear those harsh words from my friend.
  • The hurtful comments made her feel insecure about herself.
  • The hurtful actions of the bully left a lasting impact on the victim.
Context #2 | Adjective

effect

Resulting in physical or emotional pain or injury.

Synonyms

harmful, injurious, traumatic, wounding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hurtful

Use 'hurtful' when referring to something that causes emotional pain or distress. It usually describes words, actions, or behaviors.

  • His hurtful comments made her cry
harmful

Use 'harmful' when talking about something that causes physical or mental damage. It generally refers to effects rather than direct actions.

  • Smoking is harmful to your health
injurious

Use 'injurious' in formal contexts to describe something that causes physical injury or damage. It can also describe harmful effects in a legal or medical context.

  • The chemical leak had injurious effects on the local wildlife
wounding

Use 'wounding' to describe actions or words that cause emotional or mental pain. It often implies a deeper or more lasting hurt than 'hurtful'.

  • Her wounding remarks left him feeling deeply hurt
traumatic

Use 'traumatic' when describing events or experiences that cause deep emotional and psychological harm. It is often used in the context of severe and lasting mental distress.

  • The car accident was a traumatic experience for all involved

Examples of usage

  • The hurtful punch left a bruise on his arm.
  • Her hurtful behavior towards others caused her to lose friends.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Negative comments can impact self-esteem, making people doubt themselves and their abilities.
  • Research shows that emotional pain from hurtful words can feel just as real as physical pain to the brain.
  • Understanding the emotional effects of language can help promote kindness and support mental health.

Literature

  • In many stories, hurtful words are used by characters to create conflict, illustrating the power of language.
  • Poets often explore themes of hurt through the beauty of language, reflecting on emotional struggles and healing.
  • Classic literature frequently features characters who endure verbal abuse, showcasing the long-lasting effects of such experiences.

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, rhetoric has been weaponized in politics to hurt opponents and sway public opinion.
  • In the 20th century, hurtful propaganda fueled conflicts and wars, showing the deep impact of words between nations.
  • Social movements have sought to combat hurtful language, advocating for respect and dignity across cultures.

Communication

  • Non-verbal cues, like tone of voice, can make words feel even more hurtful, showing that delivery matters.
  • Understanding the context of a situation is crucial; whatโ€™s hurtful in one setting might not be in another.
  • Teaching emotional intelligence can help individuals recognize the impact of their words and choose kindness.

Emotional Intelligence

  • Building empathy helps individuals understand how hurtful words affect others, fostering more considerate communication.
  • Practicing active listening can prevent misunderstandings that lead to hurtful exchanges.
  • Coping strategies, such as assertive communication and compassion, can mitigate the impact of hurtful words.

Origin of 'hurtful'

The word 'hurtful' originated from the Middle English word 'hurtful,' which meant causing harm or injury. It is a combination of 'hurt' and the suffix '-ful,' which denotes 'full of' or 'characterized by.' The term has been used in English language since the 14th century to describe actions, words, or behaviors that cause pain, distress, or injury to others.

See also: hurt, hurting, hurtle, unhurt.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,930, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.