21 Other Ways to Say HURTFUL (With Examples)

You know how some words just feel a bit too heavy or even too simple when you are trying to talk about your feelings? It is smart to find other ways to say hurtful when you want to be very clear about how someone’s mean actions or words affected you.

21 Other Ways to Say HURTFUL (With Examples)

Mean

We often use this word because it is very simple and everyone knows exactly what it means. When someone does something unkind on purpose, you might call their behavior mean. It is a great choice for daily chats when you do not want to sound too formal. This word captures that basic feeling of someone being unfriendly or nasty to you. It works well for kids and adults alike since it is a very common and clear term for all.

That was a mean thing to do.
Stop being so mean to your sister.
He said a mean comment about me.
Why are you acting so mean today?
Her mean look made me feel sad.
I do not like your mean attitude.

Cruel

This word is a bit stronger than just being mean. When you use this term, you are saying that someone is causing pain without caring at all. It suggests a lack of kindness that goes deep. If a person says something that really cuts deep and shows no heart, calling it cruel is very fitting. It describes a level of unkindness that feels very harsh. You use it when someone is being intentionally very cold and very heartless.

It was cruel to leave him out.
Saying that was a very cruel joke.
I hate how cruel some people are.
That was a cruel way to act.
Your cruel words broke my heart today.
No one should be that cruel online.

Unkind

If you want a softer way to describe a bad comment, this is a perfect pick. It simply means the person was not being kind or nice to you. It is a polite but firm way to point out that someone’s behavior was not good. This word is very easy for everyone to understand. It works well in serious talks where you want to stay calm. You are highlighting the fact that their actions lacked any warmth or goodness.

That was an unkind thing to say.
Please do not use such unkind words.
Her unkind behavior was very surprising today.
It is unkind to ignore your friends.
I felt bad after your unkind remark.
Why were you so unkind to him?

Nasty

Sometimes words feel gross or dirty because they are so bad. This is when you use the word nasty. It describes comments that are very unpleasant and aimed at making you feel terrible. It is a punchy word that carries a lot of negative energy. You might use it when a person is being spiteful or very rude. It shows that the behavior was not just wrong, but it was also quite ugly and very very offensive.

He sent me a very nasty text.
That was a nasty thing to mention.
I do not like her nasty tone.
Stop making those nasty faces at me.
Your nasty comment really hurt my feelings.
It was a nasty trick to play.

Harsh

When someone is being too tough or critical, their words can feel very harsh. This word describes a tone that is rough and lacks any gentleness. It might not be meant to be evil, but it still stings a lot. You use this when a person is being more severe than they need to be. It is a common word for describing a strict boss or a friend who is being far too blunt with their honest opinions.

You were a bit harsh with her.
That was a very harsh thing to say.
I did not expect such harsh criticism.
His harsh voice scared the little kids.
Your harsh judgment was not very fair.
Please stop being so harsh with me.

Spiteful

This word is used when someone wants to hurt you because they are annoyed or jealous. It shows that there is a bad motive behind the action. A spiteful person says things just to see you get upset. It is a very specific way to describe a person who is acting out of malice. When you use this word, you are saying that the person is being mean because they have a grudge or a very bitter heart.

She gave me a very spiteful look.
That was a spiteful thing to do.
I am tired of your spiteful games.
He made a spiteful remark about us.
Her spiteful actions caused a big fight.
Do not be so spiteful toward them.

Rude

Being rude is about having bad manners or being disrespectful. It is one of the most common ways to describe someone who is not being nice. While it might not always be deep, it still feels bad to be treated this way. You use this word when someone interrupts you or says something that is socially unacceptable. It is a very simple and direct way to call out behavior that lacks basic respect for other people.

It is rude to talk like that.
That was a very rude thing to say.
I thought his behavior was quite rude.
Why are you being so rude today?
Her rude comment ruined the whole dinner.
Stop being rude to the shop clerk.

Bitter

When someone is unhappy with their own life, they might say things that sound bitter. This word describes a sharp and angry way of speaking. It usually comes from a place of long term sadness or resentment. If a person’s words are filled with gloom and anger, then bitter is the right word to use. It shows that the person is letting their own bad feelings spill out and affect everyone else around them in a bad way.

He sounded very bitter about the loss.
That was a bitter thing to mention.
Her bitter words showed how she felt.
I do not want to be bitter.
Your bitter attitude is hard to watch.
It was a bitter end to things.

Cutting

Some words feel like they are slicing right through you. We call these cutting remarks. This term is used for comments that are very sharp and find your weakest spots. It is a more descriptive way to say someone was being hurtful in a clever but mean way. When you use this word, you are explaining how deeply the words felt. It is perfect for describing someone who uses their intelligence to say things that really sting.

She made a cutting remark about me.
That was a very cutting thing to say.
His cutting tone made me go quiet.
I was shocked by her cutting words.
That was a cutting observation of yours.
Stop making those cutting jokes at home.

Cold

When someone treats you with no emotion or warmth, they are being cold. This type of behavior hurts because it feels like the person does not care about you at all. It is a quiet kind of pain. You use this word when someone ignores your feelings or speaks to you like a stranger. It describes a lack of human connection. Being cold can often be just as painful as someone shouting or being very loud and angry.

He gave me a very cold shoulder.
That was a cold thing to say.
Her cold response made me feel alone.
Why are you being so cold lately?
It was a cold way to behave.
I hate that cold look in eyes.

Sharp

Using the word sharp describes words that come out fast and painful. Like a needle, a sharp comment hits a specific spot and causes a quick sting. It usually happens when someone is frustrated or in a big hurry. You might use this word if a friend snaps at you without thinking. It is a great way to describe a tone of voice that is a bit too pointy and lacks any kind of softness or patience.

You have a very sharp tongue today.
That was a sharp thing to say.
I did not like your sharp tone.
Her sharp words caught me by surprise.
Please stop using that sharp voice now.
It was a sharp and painful remark.

Hateful

This is a very strong word for when someone is being extremely mean. It suggests that the words are filled with a lot of anger or even deep dislike. You use this when the behavior is much worse than just being unkind. It is a serious word for serious situations. If someone says something that is meant to truly damage your spirit, calling it hateful is right. It shows the words were born from a very dark place.

That was a hateful thing to post.
I will not listen to hateful speech.
Her hateful comments were really quite shocking.
Why are you being so hateful now?
It was a hateful act of revenge.
He said some very hateful things today.

Heartless

When a person does not seem to have any feelings for others, we call them heartless. This word describes someone who can say very bad things without feeling any guilt. It is a very sad way to describe a person’s behavior. You use it when someone is being totally indifferent to the suffering of others. It means they are acting as if they do not have a heart at all. It is a very powerful way to describe pain.

That was a heartless thing to do.
How can you be so heartless today?
Her heartless words made me cry a lot.
It was a heartless way to end it.
I cannot believe he was that heartless.
Stop being so heartless to your dog.

Thoughtless

Sometimes people are mean because they just do not think before they speak. This is what thoughtless means. It is a bit less evil than other words, but it still causes a lot of pain. You use this when someone forgets your feelings or says something silly that stings. It describes a lack of care or attention. Even if they did not mean to be bad, their lack of thought was still very hard to deal with.

That was a thoughtless thing to say.
I am sorry for my thoughtless actions.
Her thoughtless comment hurt my pride today.
It was a very thoughtless gift choice.
Why are you being so thoughtless now?
He made a thoughtless remark about her.

Malicious

This is a big word that means someone is being mean on purpose to cause harm. It is used in more formal settings or when you want to be very clear about intent. If someone starts a rumor or tries to ruin your reputation, their actions are malicious. It shows a desire to see someone else fail or suffer. Using this word points out that the person knew exactly what they were doing and they did it anyway.

He spread a malicious rumor about me.
That was a malicious thing to do.
I do not like your malicious intent.
Her malicious words were meant to hurt.
It was a malicious attack on her.
Stop being so malicious toward your rivals.

Unfeeling

This word is similar to cold or heartless. It describes a person who does not show any sympathy or care for your situation. When you are crying and someone just stares at you, they are being unfeeling. It is a word that highlights a lack of emotional response. You use it when you expect someone to be kind, but they act like a robot instead. It is a very lonely feeling to deal with an unfeeling person.

She was very unfeeling during the talk.
That was an unfeeling thing to say.
I hate how unfeeling he can be.
Your unfeeling attitude is very hard for me.
It was an unfeeling way to react.
Why are you so unfeeling toward them?

Callous

Callous is a word for someone who is hardened against feelings. Just like a callus on your hand is tough skin, a callous person has a tough heart. They are not bothered by the pain of others at all. You use this word for people who are very insensitive. It is a strong way to describe a person who has seen too much or just does not care to be soft. It shows a very deep lack of empathy.

That was a callous remark to make.
I am shocked by your callous behavior.
Her callous attitude was very hard to see.
It was a callous way to treat us.
He gave a callous response to me.
Do not be so callous about it.

Snide

A snide comment is one that is mean in an indirect or sneaky way. Often, it is a bit of a joke that is actually meant to put you down. People who are snide often think they are being funny, but they are just being rude. You use this word for those little remarks that are said under someone’s breath. It describes a sarcastic and unpleasant way of communicating that is designed to make the other person feel very small.

She made a snide comment about him.
That was a very snide thing today.
I am tired of your snide remarks.
He gave me a snide little smile.
Her snide tone was very annoying then.
Stop being so snide to your friends.

Wounding

When words leave a mark on your soul, they are wounding. This word compares the pain of words to a physical injury. It is a very poetic and deep way to describe being hurt. You use it when the damage feels like it will take a long time to heal. It shows that the person’s words went deep inside you. This is a very serious word to use when you want someone to know they really hurt you.

That was a wounding thing to hear.
Your wounding words stayed with me long.
I found his remarks to be wounding.
Her wounding silence was the worst part.
It was a wounding experience for us.
Stop saying such wounding things to her.

Acidic

This word describes words that feel like they are burning. Just like acid, an acidic comment is sharp, sour, and very painful. It is often used for people who are very smart and use their words to sting others. You use it when the tone is very biting and unpleasant. It suggests a level of sarcasm that is meant to be very destructive. It is a very vivid way to describe a really bad conversation.

She has a very acidic way of speaking.
That was an acidic thing to say.
I did not like her acidic tone.
His acidic jokes are not funny at all.
Your acidic remark really burned me today.
It was an acidic end to lunch.

Insensitive

Being insensitive means you do not realize or care how your words affect others. It is a very common way to describe someone who is a bit clumsy with their feelings. They might say the wrong thing at a funeral or a sad time. You use this word when someone lacks the ability to be gentle when it is needed most. It describes a person who is just not tuned in to the emotions of the people around them.

That was an insensitive thing to say.
You are being very insensitive right now.
Her insensitive comment made everyone feel bad.
It was an insensitive way to act.
Why are you so insensitive to her?
I hate your insensitive jokes about this.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list gave you plenty of ideas for other ways to say hurtful in your own life. Using different words helps you explain your feelings better to your friends and family. It is always good to have a big vocabulary so you can be very clear when someone is not being nice to you. Choosing the right word makes your stories more interesting and helps people understand your heart. Thank you for reading my tips today about these words.