Injure: meaning, definitions and examples

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injure

[ˈɪn.dʒər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

medical

Cause physical harm or damage to someone's body.

Synonyms

damage, harm, hurt, wound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
injure	Use when referring to harm done to living beings, typically in accidents or physical altercations. She injured her ankle while playing soccer The car accident injured several people
hurt	Commonly used in everyday language when referring to physical or emotional pain in living beings. My head hurts after the long day Her feelings were hurt by the rude comment
harm	A general term for causing physical or emotional injury. Often used in broader contexts including both living beings and objects. Smoking can harm your lungs Spreading rumors can harm someone's reputation
wound	Specifically used to describe damage to living tissue, often from a weapon or severe accident. Has a more serious connotation than 'hurt'. The soldier was wounded in combat He wound his hand on the broken glass
damage	Use when referring to harm done to objects, structures, or other non-living things. The storm damaged the roof of the house The package was damaged during shipping

Examples of usage

He was badly injured in a car accident.
The explosion injured several people.
She injured her ankle while hiking.
The athlete was injured during the game.
The knife could easily injure someone.
The broken glass could injure a child playing nearby.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

Commit a crime or offense against (a person or a law).

Synonyms

breach, transgress, violate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
injure	Used when someone or something is physically harmed. It applies to situations where there’s physical damage or pain to a person, animal, or object. She injured her ankle while playing soccer. The car accident injured three passengers.
violate	Applies to situations where rules, laws, or personal rights are broken or disregarded. It often has a strong negative connotation. The new law seeks to protect citizens from having their privacy violated. By entering the restricted area, he knowingly violated the regulations.
transgress	Typically used in a formal or religious context when someone violates a moral, ethical, or legal boundary. Often carries a negative connotation. He deeply regretted transgressing the community guidelines. According to the ancient texts, to transgress is to sin.
breach	Appropriate in legal, security, or contractual contexts to refer to breaking an agreement, trust, or security system. The company fired him for breaching the confidentiality agreement. There was a security breach at the airport last night.

Examples of usage

He was charged with injuring a police officer.
The suspect is accused of injuring property.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

medical

An act that causes someone to be hurt, damaged, or killed.

Synonyms

damage, harm, trauma, wound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
injure	Used when referring to a person or an animal who has been hurt physically. Often used in the context of accidents or violence. She injured her leg while playing soccer. The athlete was injured in a car accident.
harm	Can refer to physical injury but also includes emotional, moral, or psychological damage. Can be used for people, animals, and sometimes broader contexts like environmental harm. Exposing children to violent images can harm their development. Smoking can harm your health.
wound	Refers to a specific physical injury where the skin is cut or broken. Often used in the context of violence or accidents. He has a deep wound on his arm. The soldier's wounds were treated immediately.
damage	Mostly used when referring to things or objects that have been broken, destroyed, or negatively affected. Not typically used for people or animals. The storm caused a lot of damage to the roof. The computer was damaged beyond repair.
trauma	Used to describe severe injury to the body or a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. Often used in medical or psychological contexts. The patient suffered trauma to the head during the accident. She needed therapy to deal with the emotional trauma.

Examples of usage

The doctor treated the man's injuries.
The team suffered several injuries during the match.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'injuriare', which means to harm or wrong someone.
It shifted into English in the late 14th century, evolving in meaning to cover both physical and emotional harm.

Health and Medicine

Injuries can be classified as acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting), with different treatments for each type.
Common forms of injury include sprains, fractures, and cuts, each requiring specific care.
Rehabilitation is a crucial part of healing from injuries, often including physical therapy.

Psychology

Emotional injuries, like mental trauma from accidents or bullying, can impact well-being just as physical injuries do.
Coping mechanisms, such as therapy or support groups, help individuals recover from emotional injuries.

Sports

Athletes face a high risk of injury, making injury prevention strategies essential for performance.
Common sports injuries include concussions in contact sports and tears in ligaments during high-intensity activities.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, there is a belief in the spiritual aspect of injury, relating physical harm to emotional or spiritual neglect.
Cultural attitudes towards injury can affect how individuals seek help, with some cultures prioritizing home remedies over medical attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "injure" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ferir

🇮🇳 चोट पहुँचाना

🇩🇪 verletzen

🇮🇩 melukai

🇺🇦 поранити

🇵🇱 zranić

🇯🇵 傷つける (kizutsukeru)

🇫🇷 blesser

🇪🇸 herir

🇹🇷 yaralamak

🇰🇷 다치게 하다 (dachige hada)

🇸🇦 جرح (jarah)

🇨🇿 zranit

🇸🇰 poraniť

🇨🇳 受伤 (shòushāng)

🇸🇮 poškodovati

🇮🇸 meiða

🇰🇿 жарақаттау

🇬🇪 დაზიანება (dazianeba)

🇦🇿 yaralamaq

🇲🇽 herir

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,051 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9048 banquet
9049 delinquency
9050 fiduciary
9051 injure
9052 esteemed
9053 perfected
9054 stature
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