bruised; bruising
1
: to inflict an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin or a similar injury to plant tissue : to inflict a bruise (see bruise entry 1 sense 1) on : contuse
bruised her arm when he grabbed her
2
: to break down (leaves, berries, etc.) by pounding : crush
3
1
: to bear or show the effects of a bruise : to undergo bruising
her skin bruises easily
2
: to inflict a bruise
Synonyms
Examples of bruise in a Sentence
Noun
He had a bad bruise on his leg after he fell.
a bruise on an apple
Verb
She bruised her knee when she fell.
I don't want to bruise anyone's feelings.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Gallagher, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Jay Leno is recovering after falling down a large hill over the weekend, leaving him with an eye patch and a large bruise.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024
Some people intentionally cut, burn or bruise themselves to cope with trauma, stress or anxiety.
—Daniel Wine, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bruise 
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Noun
Victims can suffer from a range of injuries, from minor bruises to severe, life-altering conditions.
—Chris Gallagher, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Jay Leno is recovering after falling down a large hill over the weekend, leaving him with an eye patch and a large bruise.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
In the midst of life's trials and tribulations, catharsis is getting bruised and boozed up in some of the best music venues in town.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024
Some people intentionally cut, burn or bruise themselves to cope with trauma, stress or anxiety.
—Daniel Wine, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bruise
Dictionary Entries Near bruise
Cite this Entry
“Bruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bruise. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bruise
1 of 2 verb
bruised; bruising
1
a
: to cause a bruise on
b
: to become bruised
2
: to crush (as leaves or berries) by pounding
3
: to hurt the feelings of
bruise
2 of 2 noun1
: an injury (as from a blow) in which the skin is not broken but is discolored from the breaking of small blood vessels that lie underneath the skin : contusion
2
: an injury to a plant or fruit that resembles a bruise
Medical Definition
bruise
2 of 2 noun1
: an injury transmitted through unbroken skin to underlying tissue causing rupture of small blood vessels and escape of blood into the tissue with resulting discoloration : contusion
2
: an injury especially to the feelings
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