hurtful

/ˈhɜːtfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhɜːrtfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhərt-fəl/ (ame, mw)

hurtful — adjective

  • hurtfulpositive
  • more hurtfulcomparative
  • most hurtfulsuperlative

1. Describes words, actions, or behaviour that make a person feel sad, upset, or em

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Describes words, actions, or behaviour that make a person feel sad, upset, or emotionally wounded.

例句

Lakshmi felt that her brother's comment about her cooking was deeply hurtful.

find + noun + hurtful

The email contained hurtful remarks that made several team members want to quit.

hurtful + remarks / words / comments

同義詞
  • unkind

    softer and broader; 'hurtful' focuses on the emotional result, while 'unkind' describes the behaviour itself

  • offensive

    stronger and often implies the person intended to cause offence or violated a social norm

  • insulting

    specifically about words or actions that show disrespect and are meant to belittle someone

  • cutting

    informal; suggests a remark is sharp, direct, and deliberately wounding

反義詞
  • kind

    the direct opposite — a kind remark makes someone feel good, not sad

  • supportive

    implies active emotional care and encouragement, not just the absence of hurt

文法句型

be + hurtful

find + noun + hurtful

hurtful + noun

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively for emotional pain, not physical injury. Compare 'harmful', which covers both physical and emotional damage.

常見錯誤

❌The broken glass was hurtful.
✅The broken glass was harmful / dangerous.
💡'hurtful' describes emotional pain, not physical injury.