injure

verb

ˈin-jər How to pronounce injure (audio)
Definition of injurenext
1
as in to damage
to cause bodily damage to injured himself while skiing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mar
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the agent's treachery has injured our national security for years to come

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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 Just last week, four more correctional officers were injured in an attack at the famed Sing Sing Correctional Facility. — Peter Cordi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025 Two people have been arrested in connection with a three-car crash in New Haven last summer that left two young women dead and another seriously injured. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025 Every year, hundreds of people around the world are killed or injured by elephants due to conflict between humans and elephants, conversation groups said. — Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025 And in February, a driver plowed into a protest group in Munich injuring at least 28 people. — Rachel McRady, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for injure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for injure
  1. damage
  2. mar
  3. hurt
  4. cripple
  5. wound
  6. weaken
  7. bruise
  8. impair
Verb
  • During that time, Carney was criticized by some – particularly on the right – for warning repeatedly that leaving the European Union would damage Britain’s economy.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The way it’s assembled brings a big advantage if it’s rolled or damaged, as body panels may be replaced in a matter of a few days.
    — Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of damage
Verb
  • Rodgers was cut by the New York Jets earlier this year following two seasons marred by an achilles injury and 6-12 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback.
    — Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • For Harris and his teammates, March Madness presents an opportunity for redemption after a season marred by a dozen losses.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of mar
Verb
  • Weak sales have hurt the value of Tesla shares, which had climbed 91% after Election Day, peaking just before Christmas, as investors anticipated Musk and his electric car company would be big winners in Donald Trump’s second term.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • One person has been physically hurt — a worshipper who suffered burns in a fire that was set at a Melbourne synagogue in December.
    — TIME, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurt
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
Definition of cripple
Verb
  • Syria's news agency Sana reported at least three people wounded in the attack, northwest of the capital Damascus.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Martinez was fatally wounded in the shootout outside BarWest, a midtown sports bar on J Street near 28th Street.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of wound
Verb
  • In an all-staff e-mail, Dudek wrote: Criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness are the four forces that can end any relationship and weaken any institution. . .
    — E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Consumers are already losing confidence and pulling back on spending, weakening a key engine of the economy.
    — Axios, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • As a result, wounds take longer to heal, and people with hemophilia may bruise easily.
    — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Toddler stools shouldn’t leave children bruised or with brain injuries.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of bruise
Verb
  • But Casey pointed out that drivers stopped for more serious violations, such as driving while impaired, will receive citations or be arrested.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
  • If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of impair

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Cite this Entry

“Injure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injure. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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