Hurtfully

Hurtfully is an adverb that describes an action or statement performed in a way that causes emotional or physical pain, offense, or distress. It implies a deliberate or careless disregard for the feelings or well-being of others. The impact of acting hurtfully can range from mild annoyance to severe trauma. It frequently underscores behavior that is cruel, unkind, or malicious in its intent or effect. The action may stem from anger, spite, insensitivity, or a lack of empathy. Its presence signifies a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and social dynamics.

Hurtfully meaning with examples

• He spoke hurtfully to his friend, attacking her character after a disagreement. His harsh words, delivered with venom, left her feeling deeply wounded and betrayed. The hurtfully phrased insults resonated long after the conversation ended, damaging their years-long friendship. He regretted his outburst later, realizing the permanent effect his words had, the situation was made worse by his hurtful manner.
• The comedian's jokes, though intended to be humorous, landed hurtfully on several audience members. The jokes poked at sensitive topics and touched on the anxieties many attendees privately grappled with. Several people felt embarrassed, and one person walked out mid-way through. Though it was just a performance, his remarks acted hurtfully due to their context, as many agreed that his words were off colour.
• She hurtfully dismissed her colleague's suggestion during the meeting. Her pointed criticism, made in front of the entire team, crushed his confidence. Others noticed her action and she lost respect within the team. By using the word 'hurtfully', the author clearly indicated the impact of her dismissal was not in good faith. Her actions, though unintentional, came off as purposefully dismissive and therefore hurtfully executed.
• The company’s restructuring plan was implemented hurtfully, with little regard for the impact on employees. The abrupt layoffs, lack of communication, and inadequate support left many feeling abandoned and fearful. The company's approach to layoffs could have been far better, but their actions, and the context of the action, were hurtfully undertaken. The result was a fractured culture that would be difficult to repair for all.
• He'd acted hurtfully when breaking up with her, citing faults that he was also responsible for. His harsh, cold manner compounded her sense of loss and self-doubt. She found his words dismissive and felt shame and disbelief, because it came from him. His treatment of her, and his words, had been completely done hurtfully, and she questioned whether any of their relationship had ever been true.