hurt
20 synonyms and 10 antonyms for hurt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cause physical pain or injury.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use hurt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French hurter ("to strike, collide with"), possibly from a Frankish word for a battering ram.
Full origin of hurt →Frequently asked questions
What does “hurt” mean?
The word “hurt” means to cause physical pain or injury. In plain terms, to cause pain, physical or emotional, or to damage something.
How do you pronounce “hurt”?
“Hurt” is pronounced hurt (/hɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hurt” in a sentence?
Here is “hurt” used in a sentence: “She fell and hurt her ankle on the trail.”
What is another word for “hurt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hurt” include ache, afflict, aggrieve, agonize, anguish and dere.
What is the opposite of “hurt”?
The opposite of “hurt” — its antonyms — are alleviate, analgesize, comfort, dave and ease.
What part of speech is “hurt”?
Depending on how it is used, “hurt” can be a verb, an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “hurt” come from?
The word “hurt” comes from Old French. From Old French hurter ("to strike, collide with"), possibly from a Frankish word for a battering ram.
Is “hurt” a common word?
“Hurt” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'hurt' and 'injure'?
Both involve physical harm, but 'injure' is more specific and often more serious, implying actual damage to the body, like a broken bone. 'Hurt' is broader and covers everything from mild pain to real injury. A stubbed toe hurts; a car crash can injure you.
What is the difference between 'hurt' and 'harm'?
'Hurt' usually points to causing pain, whether a sharp physical sting or an emotional one. 'Harm' stresses lasting damage or ill effect, and can be more abstract — harming someone's health or reputation. You can hurt someone briefly without doing them any lasting harm.
Can 'hurt' refer to emotional pain?
Yes. Although the core meaning is to cause physical pain, 'hurt' very commonly describes emotional pain too — hurt feelings, or being hurt by an unkind remark. Context shows which is meant, and the same word covers both a physical ache and the sting of disappointment.
What is an example of 'hurt' in a sentence?
You can use it of yourself or others: 'I hurt my knee playing football', or 'Those words really hurt him'. It can also work without an object — 'my back hurts' — where it means to feel pain rather than to cause it.