self-harm

noun

ˌself-ˈhärm 

: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism

Although most cutters are young women who have been emotionally, sexually, or physically abused as children, [Marilee] Strong's research shows that this specific type of self-harm also appears in other groups.

—Maria Simson et al.

called 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

That means going beyond tests for self-harm and deliberately simulating interactions involving conditions like mania, psychosis, and OCD to assess how the models respond. —Robert Hart, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

The company has also added a number of technical protections to detect and prevent conversations about self-harm, including displaying a pop-up that directs users to a suicide prevention helpline in certain cases, Harrison said. —Salvador Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025

Williams has worked on a step-by-step process that offers helpful support for those who just need to vent, as well as resources for those who may need immediate support for more serious issues, including thoughts of self-harm. —Essence, 23 July 2025

Black Sabbath was so dark, so unholy, that the band’s songs inspired murders and self-harm. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-harm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• arm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• firearm
• underarm

Kids Definition

self-harm

noun

ˌself-ˈhärm 

: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism