hurt for

phrasal verb

hurt for; hurting for; hurts for
US, informal
1
: to lack (something needed)
Those children are hurting for attention.
The company is hurting for money right now.
2
: to have sympathy or pity for (someone)
I hurt for those poor people.

Examples of hurt for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For example, purchasing and gifting homes, paying rents and funding emergency services move money directly into the communities that are most hurting for capital and could stimulate the production of new units and the maintenance of older units. Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025 Without William Nylander for the third playoff game in a row, the Leafs looked more and more like a team hurting for offence. Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Apr. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Hurt for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurt%20for. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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