injure

[in-jer]

verb (used with object)

injured, injuring 

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

   to injure one's hand.

   Synonyms: mar, break, ruin, spoil
   Antonyms: benefit

2. to do wrong or injustice to.

   Synonyms: abuse, maltreat

3. to wound or offend.

   to injure a friend's feelings.

injure

/ ˈɪndʒə /

verb

1. to cause physical or mental harm or suffering to; hurt or wound

2. to offend, esp by an injustice

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of injure¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of injure¹

C16: back formation from _injury

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Local media reports say around 35 people were injured while working to contain the blaze.

Read more on BBC

Clyde, having been replaced under the blood bin rule that allowed a temporary substitute for an injured player, came back on 10 minutes later and tried to continue.

Read more on BBC

In the fourth Test on his home ground of Trent Bridge, Broad was bowling England's first over for the first time in the absence of the injured James Anderson.

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In December 2021, Sanberg told a high-ranking Aspiration executive that the Clippers had approached him about doing a deal with Leonard, their injured star.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Twelve civilians and three officers were injured, police said, while nine people were arrested and 16 detained for questioning.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• batter 
• break 
• damage 
• harm 
• hurt 
• maim 
• mutilate 
• torture 
• wound