hurt sentiments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hurt sentiments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings that have been offended or upset, often in the context of interpersonal relationships or communication. Example: "His comments were thoughtless and caused hurt sentiments among the group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It hurt sentiments".

The New York Times

There is no known community of "ghatis," but he demanded that the word be deleted from the film, arguing that it would "hurt sentiments".

The New York Times

Over the years, the focus of the Censor Board appears to have shifted from sex and violence to people's "hurt sentiments" – some of it possibly real, but much of it imagined.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Reports that some Greek banks needed more emergency money also hurt sentiment on Wall Street.

The New York Times

While the turmoil has not yet hit countries like Saudi Arabia, which has the most Ferrari buyers, Mr. di Montezemolo said the political upheaval could hurt sentiment.

The New York Times

The PI (ZM) and research manager (AB) have extensive experience handling such delicate questions and can steer conversations to get maximum information without hurting sentiments.

BMC Health Services Research

Further hurting sentiment, the yen strengthened to a five-year high against the euro, making Japanese exports more expensive, before sliding back a bit.

Forbes

Tokyo shares finished sharply lower on the uncertain outlook for stock markets worldwide and with the yen's sharp rise also hurting sentiment, particularly toward export-oriented stocks, dealers said.

Forbes

He has hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community across the world.

The New York Times

Why are there two criteria for judging people who have hurt the sentiments of a community?

The New York Times

I have not hurt any sentiments of the majority Hindu community.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reacting to potentially offensive statements, validate the existence of offense and avoid discounting others' experience as "overreacting".

Common error

Avoid using "hurt sentiments" as a justification for censoring opinions or silencing debate. Focus on addressing the specific harm caused, rather than simply labeling something as offensive. Disagreement does not always equal injury.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hurt sentiments" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun, describing the act of causing emotional distress or offense. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this phrase often appears when discussing cultural or religious sensitivities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hurt sentiments" describes the act of causing emotional distress or offense, often in a public or collective context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media when discussing cultural and religious sensitivities. While the phrase itself is neutral, its use often indicates concern or disapproval. When using or encountering this phrase, it's important to distinguish between genuine offense and simple disagreement, and to avoid using it as a means of suppressing opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wound feelings

Implies a deeper emotional injury.

upset emotions

Emphasizes the disruption of emotional balance.

offend sensibilities

Focuses on violating standards of politeness or decorum.

inflict emotional pain

Stresses the causing of emotional suffering

cause offense

Highlights the action of causing displeasure or resentment.

affront sensitivities

Highlights the deliberate or unintentional disregard for someone's emotional state

damage morale

Indicates a negative impact on the overall spirit or confidence, especially in a group.

provoke indignation

Implies causing righteous anger or outrage.

stir up resentment

Highlights the action of causing prolonged anger or bitter feelings.

displease greatly

Highlights a substantial level of dissatisfaction or annoyance

FAQs

How can I use "hurt sentiments" in a sentence?

You can use "hurt sentiments" to describe a situation where someone's feelings have been offended. For example, "The comedian's jokes were considered to "hurt sentiments" within the community."

What's the difference between "hurt sentiments" and "hurt feelings"?

"Hurt sentiments" often refers to a more public or collective offense, while "hurt feelings" is more personal and individual.

What can I say instead of "hurt sentiments"?

You can use alternatives like "offend sensibilities", "cause offense", or "upset emotions" depending on the context.

Is it always wrong to "hurt sentiments"?

While avoiding causing unnecessary pain is generally good, sometimes expressing unpopular opinions or challenging the status quo can "hurt sentiments". The key is to do so responsibly and respectfully.