harm

noun

\ ˈhärm

Definition of harm

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : physical or mental damage : injury the amount of harm sustained by the boat during the storm

2 : mischief, hurt I meant you no harm.

harm

verb

harmed; harming; harms

Definition of harm (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to damage or injure physically or mentally : to cause harm (see harm entry 1) to No animals were harmed in the making of the film. the national interest … was gravely harmed by this attack— Elmer Davis

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Synonyms for harm

Synonyms: Noun

affliction, damage, detriment, hurt, injury

Synonyms: Verb

damage, hurt, injure, wound

Choose the Right Synonym for harm

Verb

injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success. badly injured in an accident harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss. careful not to harm the animals hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings. hurt by their callous remarks damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness. a table damaged in shipping impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution. years of smoking had impaired his health mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement. the text is marred by many typos

Noun

harm, injury, and damage mean an act that causes loss or pain. harm can be used of anything that causes suffering or loss. The frost did great harm to the crops. injury is likely to be used of something that has as a result the loss of health or success. She suffered an injury to the eyes. damage stresses the idea of loss (as of value or fitness). The fire caused much damage to the furniture.

Examples of harm in a Sentence

Noun

They threatened him with bodily harm. The scandal has done irreparable harm to his reputation.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The reputation of big business has been damaged by the global financial crisis, inequality and environmental harm. — The Economist, "Popenomics," 7 Sep. 2019 Those harms are compounded by the plaintiffs’ inability to review or challenge their status on the list. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "We’re Trapped in the Dystopian Aftermath of 9/11," 6 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for harm

harm

noun

English Language Learners Definition of harm

(Entry 1 of 2)

: physical or mental damage or injury : something that causes someone or something to be hurt, broken, made less valuable or successful, etc.

harm

verb

English Language Learners Definition of harm (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cause hurt, injury, or damage to (someone or something) : to cause harm to (someone or something)

See the full definition for harm in the English Language Learners Dictionary

harm

Definition of harm

Other Words from harm

Synonyms for harm

Choose the Right Synonym for harm

Examples of harm in a Sentence

First Known Use of harm

History and Etymology for harm

English Language Learners Definition of harm

harm

Definition of harm

Other Words from harm

Synonyms for harm

Choose the Right Synonym for harm

Examples of harm in a Sentence

First Known Use of harm

History and Etymology for harm

English Language Learners Definition of harm

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