HURT Synonyms | 18 Similar Words (With Examples)

You know that feeling when you want to say “hurt” but the word feels too simple? In this article, we will explore 18 fun and useful synonyms for “hurt” like “ache,” “injure,” and “damage.” With easy meanings and examples, you will learn how to use these words smoothly in daily talks and writing.

Ache

The word “ache” is used when you feel a steady pain that is not always sharp but keeps bothering you. It can be physical or even emotional. For example, when you walk too much, your feet ache. Or when you miss someone, your heart aches. It shows ongoing discomfort.

• My back aches after sitting too long.
• She aches to see her old friends again.
• His heart aches for his hometown.

Pain

“Pain” is one of the most common synonyms for hurt. It shows strong feelings of discomfort or suffering, either in the body or in emotions. Everyone knows what pain feels like, so it is very easy to use in both speaking and writing. Pain can be short or long.

• She felt sharp pain in her tooth.
• Losing her dog gave her deep pain.
• The cold air caused pain in his hands.

Suffer

The word “suffer” means going through something hard, uncomfortable, or very hurtful. People can suffer from sickness, sadness, or even loneliness. It is often about a long time of pain. This word makes the feeling sound heavier. It is not only for the body but also for the heart or mind.

• He suffers from headaches often.
• Many people suffer when they are alone.
• She had to suffer through hard times.

Damage

“Damage” means something has been harmed, broken, or destroyed. It is not only about people but also about things, objects, or even feelings. Damage can happen slowly or suddenly, but the effect is always harm. It is used often when we talk about accidents or things losing their good state.

• The storm damaged the house roof.
• He damaged his phone by dropping it.
• Harsh words can damage a friendship.

Injure

“Injure” is mostly used when the body gets hurt, but it can also mean hurt feelings or pride. When someone is injured, it means they have harm from an accident or mistake. This word is very common in sports, accidents, or medical talks. It usually describes physical harm.

• He injured his knee while playing football.
• She injured her hand cooking dinner.
• His rude joke injured her pride.

Wound

The word “wound” is often about cuts or injuries on the skin or body. However, it can also mean hurt feelings, especially when someone says or does something that cuts deep into the heart. A wound can heal with time, but it may also leave a scar that remains.

• The soldier had a wound on his arm.
• His harsh words left a deep wound in her heart.
• The doctor cleaned the wound carefully.

Bruise

“Bruise” means a dark mark left on the skin after hitting something. It can hurt, but usually it is not very dangerous. A bruise shows damage inside the skin but not an open cut. Sometimes people also use it in feelings when someone feels emotionally bruised after being hurt by words.

• She got a bruise on her leg from falling.
• His pride was bruised after losing.
• The bruise on his arm turned purple.

Break

The word “break” can mean snapping or splitting something apart. When used for people, it can mean breaking a bone or breaking the heart. It is powerful because it shows that something is no longer whole. It can be used for both physical hurt and emotional hurt in life.

• He broke his arm while skating.
• The news seemed to break her heart.
• She broke a glass while washing dishes.

Harm

“Harm” means to cause injury, trouble, or damage. It is not always about the body but also about mental health, relationships, and even nature. The word is simple but useful. To harm someone is to hurt them in some way. It is also used when we talk about safety.

• Gossip can harm friendships badly.
• Smoking can harm your health.
• His lies harmed their trust.

Distress

The word “distress” shows feelings of great worry, sadness, or suffering. It can also be used for physical trouble. When someone is in distress, they are not only hurt but also troubled deeply inside. It makes the situation sound more serious and heavy. People often use it in emotional ways.

• The bad news gave her distress.
• He was in distress after the accident.
• The child’s cry showed clear distress.

Afflict

“Afflict” means to cause pain, sadness, or trouble to someone. It is often used when talking about diseases, hardships, or emotional burdens. This word shows that something bad is pressing hard on a person or group. It gives a serious tone because it sounds heavy and strong.

• The illness afflicted many families.
• Poverty can afflict entire towns.
• He was afflicted with deep sadness.

Agonize

The word “agonize” shows strong pain, suffering, or struggle. It can be about physical hurt or about hard decisions. To agonize means to go through extreme discomfort that feels unbearable. This word gives a sense of intensity. It shows that the hurt is not just light but very deep.

• He agonized over losing his best friend.
• She agonized while waiting for the news.
• His body agonized with pain after training.

Torment

“Torment” means extreme pain or suffering, often emotional or mental, but sometimes physical too. It is stronger than just hurt because it feels cruel or lasting. People feel torment when they go through deep loneliness, rejection, or fear. It is often about suffering that keeps coming back again and again.

• His guilt was a daily torment.
• The heat was a torment for the workers.
• She lived in torment after the loss.

Offend

The word “offend” is mostly used for emotional hurt. It means saying or doing something that makes someone upset, angry, or sad. It does not always mean physical harm but about feelings. To offend someone means you hurt their pride or self-respect. This word is very common in daily life.

• His rude words offended her.
• The joke offended many people.
• He was easily offended by criticism.

Crush

“Crush” can mean pressing something so hard that it breaks. But it can also mean hurting feelings badly, especially when hopes or dreams are destroyed. Crush is a strong word because it gives the picture of something being fully broken down. It can be physical or emotional in many cases.

• The rock crushed the plants.
• Her failure crushed her spirit.
• The heavy box crushed his hand.

Scar

A “scar” is a mark left after a wound heals. It shows something bad happened before. Scars can be on the skin or in the heart. A scar means the hurt is over but it still leaves a sign behind. It reminds of pain but also shows strength to heal.

• The burn left a scar on her arm.
• Childhood pain left an emotional scar.
• His accident scar was still visible.

Grieve

“Grieve” is used when someone feels deep sadness, usually after losing someone or something important. It is not a quick feeling but a heavy and lasting one. People grieve after deaths, breakups, or big changes in life. It shows emotional hurt that can take time to heal.

• She grieved for months after her pet died.
• They grieved the end of their friendship.
• He grieved losing his childhood home.

Final Thoughts

Words matter because they let us show feelings more clearly. Instead of always saying “hurt,” you can use many other synonyms to sound deeper and stronger. From ache and pain to scar and grieve, each one carries a special meaning. With these words, you can express hurt in different ways, both gentle and powerful.