bruising
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Physically causing bruises: Describes something that causes visible injuries to the body, such as contusions or discoloration of the skin from impact.
- Mentally or emotionally hurtful: Describes an experience, criticism, or confrontation that is harsh, damaging, or psychologically painful, even if no physical injury occurs.
- Forceful and vigorous: Describes an activity, style, or competition that is intensely aggressive, demanding, or physically taxing.
Usage
- Use "bruising" before a noun to describe its nature (e.g., a bruising battle).
- Use "bruising" after a linking verb like "was" or "proved" to describe an experience (e.g., the debate was bruising).
- It often implies a negative, damaging, or exhausting effect, whether physical or psychological.
Examples
- Adjective (Physical):
- He emerged from the rugby match with a bruising injury to his leg.
- The fall was a bruising experience for the elderly woman.
- Adjective (Emotional/Mental):
- She endured a bruising critique of her thesis from the review panel.
- The divorce was a long and bruising process for the entire family.
- Adjective (Forceful Activity):
- The team is known for its bruising defensive style of play.
- The candidate faced a bruising schedule of campaign rallies.
Advanced Usage
- "a bruising encounter/experience": An event that is emotionally draining or physically punishing.
- The negotiations were a bruising encounter that left both sides exhausted.
- "bruising pace": A rate or speed of work or activity that is extremely demanding and taxing.
- The project was completed at a bruising pace, requiring many all-nighters.
Variants and Related Words
- Bruise (verb/noun): To inflict or sustain a bruise; a mark on the skin.
- verb: She bruised her arm on the table. noun: He had a purple bruise on his knee.
- Bruiser (noun): A large, tough, and aggressive person.
- The new forward on the team is a real bruiser.
Synonyms
- Demoralizing: Causing a loss of confidence or hope.
- Grueling: Extremely tiring and demanding.
- Traumatic: Deeply disturbing or distressing.
- Punishing: Severe and demanding, causing strain.
Related Phrases
- Bruising defeat: A loss in a competition or conflict that is particularly decisive and demoralizing.
- The election resulted in a bruising defeat for the incumbent party.
- Leave someone bruised and battered: To cause someone to be physically injured or emotionally worn out.
- The legal battle left him emotionally bruised and battered.
Adjective
- brutally forceful and compelling
- protected from the bruising facts of battle
- causing mental or emotional injury
- a bruising experience
- protected from the bruising facts of battle- John Mason Brown