easy
A hurtful joke can make someone feel left out.
What does Hurtful mean?
Hurtful means causing someone to feel upset or hurt.
Dictionary definition
Hurtful means causing emotional pain, sadness, or upset feelings.
Example sentences
Hurtful in a sentence
medium
The teacher reminded us to avoid hurtful comments during group work.
hard
Choosing respectful words can prevent a disagreement from becoming hurtful.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice hurtful in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Practice the meaning of Hurtful
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does hurtful mean?
Hurtful words or actions can cause emotional pain.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to hurtful?
Unkind is close in meaning to hurtful.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses hurtful correctly?
Hurtful fits a sentence about words that upset people.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Hurtful
Voice settings
Sounds like
hurt · ful · strongest beat: hurt
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordHurtful.
Partadjective.
MeaningHurtful means causing someone to feel upset or hurt.
ExampleExample: A hurtful joke can make someone feel left out.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- hurt · ful
- Strongest beat
- hurt
- Ending
- ful
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on hurt.
Your turn
Say Hurtful
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced hurtful.
Synonyms
Words like Hurtful
unkindNot friendly or caring.
meanIntended to upset or hurt someone.
insensitiveNot showing care for someone’s feelings.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice hurtful synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The hurtful words made Sam feel sad," then compare close word choices. Practice hurtful synonyms.
Word family
Hurtful word family
Base word
hurtful
adverb
hurtfully
In a way that causes hurt.
noun
hurtfulness
The quality of causing emotional pain.
verb
hurt
To feel pain or cause pain.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Hurtful
Hint for students
Hurtful means causing someone to feel upset or hurt.
Common mix-up
Hurtful is not the same as kind. Hurtful means hurtful means causing someone to feel upset or hurt.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The teacher reminded us to avoid hurtful comments during group work. Clue words: teacher, reminded, avoid. Underline clue words that show peace, control, patience, or lack of worry. Now write one new sentence that shows hurtful without using the word hurtful. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show hurtful?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The teacher reminded us to avoid hurtful comments during group work." Why does hurtful fit better than kind?
Learning activities
Practice Hurtful and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice HURTFUL” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice HURTFUL
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with HURTFUL
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
Choose the meaning that fits and get instant feedback.
Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice HURTFUL
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes HURTFUL.
Practice HURTFUL
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words