injure 

Use the word "injure" when someone gets hurt. You can use it for accidents, intentional harm, or a situation that results in decreased opportunities.

• I injured myself while riding my bike.
• Sheila injured her knee while climbing a hill.
• The bird injured its wing.
• Donna was injured in the accident. (This sentence is in the passive voice.)
• Many people have injured themselves while using this product, so it was taken off the shelves.
• Several people were injured in the car accident.
• Louis injured his chances of getting a new job because he had a really bad interview.

You can use the past participle, "injured," as an adjective to describe people or animals:

• The injured victims of the earthquake sought medical help at the local hospital.
• An injured lion could be heard roaring in the distance.

The noun form of this word is "injury."

• He’s still suffering from an injury to his arm.
• There were many injuries reported after the tornado hit.
• A broken hip is a common injury among elderly people.

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This page was first published on June 22, 2012.