bruising 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of bruisingnext
as in oppressive

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bruising

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bruise
as in lacerating

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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 bruising
Adjective
Marcus ends her book by wondering whether the neutral ideal of the court can survive the bruising battle of Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. — John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2020 The University of Maryland, College Park has been at the center of most of the bruising scandals, most notably the death of a 19-year-old football player Jordan McNair and ensuing reports of a troubled culture within the athletic department. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, 9 Nov. 2019 Even Mr Macron’s domestic standing has started to recover, having taken a bruising soon after coming into office. — The Economist, 7 Nov. 2019 Adding to the challenges for Chief Justice Roberts, the Supreme Court’s latest term, which ended in June, was particularly bruising and divisive. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2018 See All Example Sentences for bruising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bruising
  1. oppressive
  2. lacerating
  3. severe
  4. slashing
  5. exhausting
  6. haggling
  7. formidable
  8. hacking
Adjective
  • Among those waiting to meet the president was Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist who considered the government oppressive.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • People seem to be craving the scent of something cooling and quenching, an olfactive promise that less oppressive weather lies ahead.
    — April Long, Allure, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Verb
  • Two generations of viewers have now grown up consuming The Daily Show’s lacerating take on politics.
    — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • In the last year, Huston has broken his eye socket — twice — and his jaw, as well as lacerating his kidney, per posts on his social media.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
Definition of lacerating
Adjective
  • The death toll from severe flooding along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday has climbed to 762 in Nepal, local police said, as rescue crews scour devastated neighborhoods for survivors.
    — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The bleeding was severe, her blood pressure plummeted, her breathing and heart function stopped.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of severe
Verb
  • The startup anticipates slashing its AI token spend by 75%, from $15-20 million to $4-5 million annually, as a result of the AI ban policy.
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Retailers are slashing their sizing in the GLP-1 era, both in physical stores and online.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of slashing
Adjective
  • That algorithmic loop can be exhausting, and a Forbes Health survey found that 79% of Gen Zers report burnout from apps.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Not the fire, not the sudden death, not the exhausting fight to get back home.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of exhausting
Verb
  • Former executive chairman Daniel Levy had a reputation for haggling over deals, sometimes allowing rival clubs to steal transfer targets from them.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The 1967 drama is about estranged brothers who are forced to deal with each other while haggling over the sale of their recently deceased father’s furniture to a dealer.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of haggling
Adjective
  • Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their armory is formidable; their cash supply, a source of comic relief.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of formidable
Verb
  • Espionage remains a business of outside attacks—hacking—and of personal recruitment and relationships.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Critics have said the drones are susceptible to security risks including hacking and package theft, as well as risks associated with an overcrowded airspace.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of hacking

Browse Nearby Words

bruises
bruising
bruit
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Cite this Entry

“Bruising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruising. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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