Skip to main content
to bruise

to bruise

33 4.2
To hurt someone's feelings or pride
  • verb
  • /bruːz/
  • Informal
translation icon : herir
  • Sounds like he had his ego bruised and decided to go on a little power trip.
  • bruise someone's feelings

When the Democrats win, their little egos might be bruised, but the majority of people do better, particularly marginalized people.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Anyway, it was my ego that was bruised, not my face.

  • Yeah, your ego might get bruised a little bit, but the outcome could be amazing.

  • I think Andrea's going to come to work Monday morning a little bruised.

  • Yet his outburst deserves careful attention, for it reflects the bruised feelings of an older generation of Catholic leaders.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Trey suspected they had argued after he left the supper table and that the bruised feelings had lingered all night.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • His harsh words really bruised her feelings during the meeting.

  • She apologized for the comment that bruised his pride.

  • Criticism can easily bruise someone's ego if not delivered carefully.

Synonyms

to hurt
vsto bruise
1.0

Make someone suffer physical or emotional pain

focuses specifically on emotional injury from unkind words or acts
to insult
vsto bruise
  • Offensive
543 2.1

To say or do something rude to someone

focuses on injuring feelings or self worth rather than only rude speech
to offend
vsto bruise
524 2.8

Cause a person to feel hurt, upset and angry because of your words or actions

aims more at damaging dignity or self esteem than mere annoyance
to wound
vsto bruise
110 5.7

To hurt a person's feelings deeply

is milder and less likely to leave long term damage
to abuse
vsto bruise
  • Offensive
95 4.2

To say rude or insulting words to someone to hurt them

may hurt feelings but is mainly about harsh language rather than pride attack
to spite
vsto bruise
28 4.9

To deliberately hurt or annoy someone to upset them

can be accidental or unintentional and not always done with malice
to lacerate
vsto bruise
1 7.6

To deeply hurt someone's feelings

is less intense and not usually deeply distressing
to hurt pride
vsto bruise
5.5

To make someone feel embarrassed and less confident

is narrower, targeting dignity and self worth rather than general upset

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Hurtful

to devastate
221 4.9
to hurt
1.0
to bruise
  • Informal
33 4.2
to offend
524 2.8

Surface Forms

bruise infinitive
bruised past
bruised past participle
bruising present participle
bruises third person singular

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the emotional use of bruise is this: it comes from the old word brusan meaning 'to crush', so an unkind word can 'crush' someone's pride and leave a 'bruise' on their feelings.