Synonyms

injure

American

[in-jer] / ˈɪn dʒər /

verb (used with object)

injured, injuring

to do or cause harm of any kind to; damage; hurt; impair.

to injure one's hand.

Synonyms:

mar, break, ruin, spoil

Antonyms:

benefit
to do wrong or injustice to.

Synonyms:

abuse, maltreat
to wound or offend.

to injure a friend's feelings.

injure British

/ ˈɪndʒə /

verb

to cause physical or mental harm or suffering to; hurt or wound
to offend, esp by an injustice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Injure, impair mean to harm or damage something. Injure is a general term referring to any kind or degree of damage: to injure one's spine; to injure one's reputation. To impair is to make imperfect in any way, often with a suggestion of progressive deterioration and of permanency in the result: One's health is impaired by overwork.

Other Word Forms

injurable adjective
injured adjective
injurer noun
quasi-injured adjective
reinjure verb (used with object)
uninjured adjective
uninjuring adjective

Etymology

Origin of injure

1575–85; back formation from injury (noun); replacing injury (verb)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The festival is offering a space to do these shows, but also for an audience to have the night out and trust that the show is not going to injure you.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

James, who scored 16 points in Thursday's loss, appeared to injure his left elbow in the fourth quarter, after he was shunted off the court and landed on the legs of a cameraman.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

A study published in the American Society of Hematology's journal Blood Red Cells & Iron reports that ultra-endurance events can injure red blood cells in ways that may interfere with how they function.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2026

However, artificial light can be classed as a statutory nuisance if it "interferes with the use or enjoyment of a home" or is likely to "injure health".

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

I might get singed no matter how fast I climb, Frankie thought as he worked his way downward, trying not to grab on to anything that would injure his hands.

From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023