self-harm
noun
: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism
An acute change in mood that persists for weeks or is associated with thoughts of self-harm should not be ignored.—
John Williamson
John Williamsoncalled also self-injury, self-mutilation
self-harm
intransitive verb
self-harmed; self-harming; self-harms
teenagers who self-harm
Examples of self-harm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Victims targeted worldwide Members of these networks reportedly target vulnerable victims to engage in self-harm, create CSAM, commit acts of animal cruelty, exploit siblings, and, in some cases, encourage suicide attempts, according to the FBI.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Brief flashbacks to Mary’s earlier concerts are merely informational; another flashback, to a séance at which Mary yielded to self-harming mysticism, is far more consequential, leading to violence in Sam’s studio.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
The actress said that one night, her daughter, Luca, 28, witnessed her shattering framed photos of herself and Abrams and then using the glass shards to self-harm.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Police said the case is being investigated as a possible act of self-harm and that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the campus community.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
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Doug Myers, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Brief flashbacks to Mary’s earlier concerts are merely informational; another flashback, to a séance at which Mary yielded to self-harming mysticism, is far more consequential, leading to violence in Sam’s studio.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
The actress said that one night, her daughter, Luca, 28, witnessed her shattering framed photos of herself and Abrams and then using the glass shards to self-harm.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Police said the case is being investigated as a possible act of self-harm and that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the campus community.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-harm
Cite this Entry
“Self-harm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-harm. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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self-harm
noun
: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism
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