harm

1 of 2

noun

ˈhärm

Synonyms of harm next

: physical or mental damage : injury

the amount of harm sustained by the boat during the storm

: mischief, hurt

I meant you no harm.

harm

2 of 2

verb

harmed; harming; harms

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

harmer noun

Choose the Right Synonym for harm

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

Examples of harm in a Sentence

Noun They threatened him with bodily harm. The scandal has done irreparable harm to his reputation. She'll do anything to protect her children from harm. They have suffered serious physical harm. These new regulations could cause lasting harm to small businesses. Verb He would never intentionally harm his children. chemicals that could harm the environment The scandal has seriously harmed his reputation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

This means the economic harm to the other country would have to come from fewer exports due to the higher prices. —

Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Again, children who are wary of depictions of animal harm may be uncomfortable with seeing that character, as well as a young lion cub, threatened or in a cage. —

Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Verb

Such tactics can also erode user trust and harm your brand’s reputation. —

Ian Cohen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Frond-feeding weevil larvae are voracious eaters, capable of devouring several water ferns per day without harming native plants. —

Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harm

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English hearm; akin to Old High German harm injury, Old Church Slavic sramŭ shame

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of harm was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Harm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harm. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

harm

noun

ˈhärm

: physical or mental damage : injury

: mischief sense 3, hurt

harm verb

Legal Definition

harm

noun

: loss of or damage to a person's right, property, or physical or mental well-being : injury

harm transitive verb

Last Updated: 26 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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harm

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of harm in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near harm

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition