hurtful
Causing pain intentionally
Hurtful describes words, actions, or behavior that cause emotional pain or distress to someone.
A hurtful remark wounds feelings; a hurtful decision may damage a relationship.
The word implies intent or at least carelessness—something hurtful could have been avoided.
It tends to describe interpersonal slights rather than physical harm: What you said about her weight was really hurtful.
Meaning to do harm
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- meanAverage, or spiteful
- nastyDeeply unpleasant or spiteful
vicious · heartless · callous · sadistic · merciless · ruthless · malevolent · cold-blooded
Showing contempt through words
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
degrading · disrespectful · abusive · slur · pejorative · racist · sexist · homophobic
Causing damage or injury
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- toxicCapable of causing harm
pernicious · deleterious · corrosive · devastating · ruinous · undermining · scarring · traumatizing
Harshly critical or cold
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- stingingCausing sharp pain
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
caustic · acerbic · barbed · piercing · acrimonious · bitter · tart · searing
Showing no consideration
- carelessInattentive, prone to mistakes
- inconsiderateLacking regard for others
- tactlessInsensitive in manner
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
uncaring · dismissive · callous · blunt · oblivious · neglectful · indifferent · tone-deaf
Experiencing dull pain
bruising · smarting · throbbing · agonizing · distressing · upsetting · heartbreaking · gut-wrenching
malicious
Meaning to do harm
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- meanAverage, or spiteful
nasty · vicious · heartless · callous · sadistic · merciless · ruthless · malevolent · cold-blooded · pitiless
insulting
Showing contempt through words
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
disparaging · degrading · disrespectful · abusive · slur · pejorative · racist · sexist · homophobic · xenophobic
harmful
Causing damage or injury
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- injuriousCausing physical harm
toxic · pernicious · deleterious · corrosive · devastating · ruinous · undermining · scarring · traumatizing · debilitating
biting
Harshly critical or cold
sharp · caustic · acerbic · barbed · piercing · acrimonious · bitter · tart · searing · brutal
thoughtless
Showing no consideration
- carelessInattentive, prone to mistakes
- inconsiderateLacking regard for others
- tactlessInsensitive in manner
unfeeling · uncaring · dismissive · callous · blunt · oblivious · neglectful · indifferent · tone-deaf · unthinking
aching
Experiencing dull pain
raw · bruising · smarting · throbbing · agonizing · distressing · upsetting · heartbreaking · gut-wrenching · crushing
- meanmean, cruel, unkind, nasty, spiteful
- harshbiting, bitter, brutal, caustic, cruel
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
- abusemistreatment, domestic abuse, elder abuse, maltreatment, cruelty
hurtfulkind
Type or caring
benevolent · thoughtful · considerate · well-meaning · generous
- hurtful wordsLanguage intended to cause pain