hurtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hurtful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that causes emotional or physical pain and suffering. For example, "His hurtful words left a lasting impression on my heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another reader wrote: "It is with profound regret and utter dismay that I see you have given space to Kelvin MacKenzie, who was responsible for printing one of the most hurtful, disgusting and outrageous editions of any British newspaper that there has ever been.

The Guardian - Opinion

"After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and rereading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were," Lauten wrote in a post that was published just before she made her Facebook page private.

The Guardian

"A permanent record of our lives can imprison us in unrealistic and hurtful feelings about ourselves, our bodies and our relationships," warns Marie-Pierre Cleret, a psychologist who specialises in narcissistic behavioural disorders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and rereading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were," Lauten wrote on Facebook in a post that was also widely reproduced before she made her page private.

The Guardian

Robinson is still one of the most able political operators on the entire island of Ireland and his ability to survive months of horrendous publicity, including deeply embarrassing and hurtful revelations about his wife, will impress certain sections of the electorate.

The Guardian

But Jones was somewhat disarmed when he accused Turnbull of doing nothing to defend Abbott's chief of staff Peta Credlin from Palmer's widely condemned attack that she would personally benefit from the new paid parental leave scheme – an attack that was factually wrong and particularly hurtful because she had publicly revealed her struggle to become pregnant using IVF.

The Guardian

I love him but he has been so hurtful to me recently that I can feel myself being pushed to the point of not being able to forgive him for his behaviour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A hurtful day.

The Guardian - Business

That was horrible and hurtful.

The Guardian

Wasn't that hurtful?

The Guardian

The invasion of Iraq was sullied by manipulated intelligence, bad planning, human-rights abuses and, for Britain, the hurtful idea that its army underperformed in Basra.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hurtful" to describe the intent or unintended consequence of causing emotional or psychological pain.

Common error

While "hurtful" is widely understood, in formal or professional settings, consider using more precise synonyms like "detrimental", "injurious", or "offensive" to convey the specific nature of the harm caused.

Linguistic Context

The word "hurtful" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes emotional or physical pain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hurtful" is a common adjective used to describe something causing emotional or physical pain. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "emotionally damaging" or "offensive" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "hurtful" serves to express disapproval by highlighting the negative impact of actions or words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

injurious

Similar to "hurtful", but often used in a more formal or legal context.

emotionally damaging

Specifically highlights the emotional impact of the action or statement.

detrimental

Highlights the negative impact and harm caused.

causing distress

Highlights the anxiety and suffering caused by the action or statement.

causing pain

Focuses on the action of causing pain rather than being inherently painful.

damaging

Focuses on the harm inflicted, either emotionally or physically.

wounding

Implies a deeper emotional scar or injury.

offensive

Emphasizes the violation of social norms and causing upset.

cutting

Suggests a sharp and incisive form of causing emotional pain.

unpleasant

A milder alternative, suggesting something disagreeable or offensive.

FAQs

How can I use "hurtful" in a sentence?

You can use "hurtful" to describe something that causes emotional or physical pain and suffering. For example, "His "hurtful" words left a lasting impression on my heart".

What can I say instead of "hurtful"?

You can use alternatives like "emotionally damaging", "offensive", or "wounding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "hurtful" or "harmful"?

"Hurtful" typically refers to emotional or psychological pain, while "harmful" refers to physical or material damage. Use ""hurtful"" when referring to feelings and "harmful" when referring to physical effects.

What's the difference between "hurtful" and "insulting"?

"Hurtful" describes the effect of causing emotional pain, while "insulting" describes the intent or action of causing offense or disrespect. Something can be "hurtful" without being intended as an insult, and something can be "insulting" without causing significant emotional pain.