injure

Synonym Chooser

How is the word injure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of injure are damage, harm, hurt, impair, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

When might damage be a better fit than injure?

The words damage and injure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When is it sensible to use harm instead of injure?

Although the words harm and injure have much in common, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When can hurt be used instead of injure?

In some situations, the words hurt and injure are roughly equivalent. However, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When would impair be a good substitute for injure?

The words impair and injure can be used in similar contexts, but impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

When could mar be used to replace injure?

The meanings of mar and injure largely overlap; however, mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of injure Georgia’s interior ministry has said that more than 150 officers have been injured during the protests, Reuters reported. Christian Edwards, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024 Apparently, the former House Speaker, who notably continues to wear high heeled shoes, slipped on a marble floor and injured and likely fractured her hip. Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 An Indiana man convicted of murder, assault and driving under the influence after crashing into a family in downtown Louisville — killing one man and injuring others in his family — was handed the maximum sentence of 70 years in prison on Friday. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 13 Dec. 2024 Dog kills 1, injures 3 including cops:Animal euthanized after killing woman, injuring man and biting 2 Boston officers Girl hospitalized after being attacked by coyote The agency reported it was alerted about the attack on Friday, after the girl was released from a hospital. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for injure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for injure
Verb
  • Two main water reservoirs were also reportedly damaged, Reuters reported.
    Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Such interactions may cause prospects to question the appropriateness of your outreach, damaging trust and credibility.
    Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • As Callas and Stefano were far past their vocal peak, the performances were marred by difficulties.
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Trump spent considerable time this year campaigning in New York, even holding rallies in the Bronx and hosting events at iconic locations like Madison Square Garden, though some have been marred by controversial comments from his supporters.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • McConnell: Busted his face open and hurt his wrist after a fall.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Repealing legislation like the IRA would only hurt this growing industry.
    Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.
    Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.
    Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • On December 10, Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on a private medical facility in the southeastern regional capital, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 20 others.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The Astra Telegram channel reported that the strike on the military unit where Russia's 5th Aviation Brigade was stationed had wounded dozens of soldiers and that at least one person had been killed.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
  • This rare condition occurs when the ligaments holding the lower ribs in place weaken, allowing the ribs to move out of position and causing pain.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Valez suffered cuts to her face and bruising all over her body.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Wax helps prevent bruising, over-ripening, and mold growth.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Insomnia, interrupted sleep cycles, or sleep apnea, can impair the quality of this crucial rest phase and therefore contribute to the development of morning anxiety.
    Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Police noted that Beltran appeared impaired and had blood on his hands and shoes at the time of the arrest.
    Skylar Heisey, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near injure

Cite this Entry

“Injure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injure. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on injure

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