Injure: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.