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
  • The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 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
  • Regional forecasts are often concerned with extreme events, such as heavy rainfall, squall lines, severe thunderstorms or hurricanes.
    — Chanh Kieu, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Measles vaccination rates are low, families are large, and people may not seek care unless the illness becomes severe.
    — STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of severe
Verb
  • But Milei is trying to recast Argentina as a destination for foreign wealth, slashing public spending, dismantling regulations and courting investment in the country's vast oil and mineral resources.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • States have already started slashing caregivers’ pay and other critical disability services in anticipation of Medicaid cuts that will roll out next year.
    — STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of slashing
Adjective
  • Consequently, the action is more exhausting than invigorating, even when the physical challenge offers the possibility of something cool or inventive.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the constant and surely exhausting attention paid to his personal life over the years, the man has carved out an impressive career.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausting
Verb
  • The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
  • All that hoopla results in a heavy lift for news networks and involves haggling over the real estate for anchor booths and transmission facilities.
    — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of haggling
Adjective
  • Guests lingered over cocktails, lauding Ghesquière’s formidable creative prowess, personal warmth and loyalty.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Let a Hundred Websites Bloom The Internet and the smartphone have become formidable tools for the Chinese government to maintain tight control over society.
    — Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of formidable
Verb
  • OpenAI reported that the agents used unauthorized communication channels, exploited vulnerabilities and engaged in reward hacking.
    — Babajide Ojuola, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • His comments come as OpenAI models have been involved in multiple security incidents in which agentic tools have overreached, hacking other companies and even government websites.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of hacking

Browse Nearby Words

bruises
bruising
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Cite this Entry

“Bruising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bruising. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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