Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb bruise

4 senses of bruise

Sense 1
bruise, contuse -- (injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of; "I bruised my knee")
       => injure, wound -- (cause injuries or bodily harm to)

Sense 2
hurt, wound, injure, bruise, offend, spite -- (hurt the feelings of; "She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests"; "This remark really bruised my ego")
       => arouse, elicit, enkindle, kindle, evoke, fire, raise, provoke -- (call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses); "arouse pity"; "raise a smile"; "evoke sympathy")

Sense 3
bruise -- (break up into small pieces for food preparation; "bruise the berries with a wooden spoon and strain them")
       => crush -- (break into small pieces; "The car crushed the toy")

Sense 4
bruise -- (damage (plant tissue) by abrasion or pressure; "The customer bruised the strawberries by squeezing them")
       => damage -- (inflict damage upon; "The snow damaged the roof"; "She damaged the car when she hit the tree")