1. bruised; injured by a blow that does not break the skin
Usage: medical

Examples

• The patient’s contused shoulder showed dark purple discoloration.
• After the fall, her contused ribs made breathing painful.
• The doctor examined the contused tissue around the impact site.
• His contused face was swollen from the accident.
• The contused area was tender to the touch.
• X-rays showed no fractures, only contused muscle tissue.