# wounding

/ˈwundɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈuːndɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wounding
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

an injury to a person's body or their feelings. It often describes a deep cut or a serious emotional pain.

For teachers: the act of inflicting physical or emotional injury; the resulting state of being injured. Often used in legal or psychological contexts to describe severe harm.

## Examples

- The emotional wounding from the argument took years to heal.
- The report detailed the physical wounding of the soldiers during the border skirmish.
- In literature, the symbolic wounding of the protagonist often serves as a catalyst for profound internal change and eventual redemption.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general act of injuring; countable when referring to specific instances of injury.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.