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

Prolonged isolation increases the risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, psychosis, and self-harm, and is associated with higher rates of suicide attempts. —Gladys Carrión, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026

The restricted areas include graphic violence, gory imagery, and depictions of self-harm. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026

Other red flags can include trouble functioning during the day, withdrawal from social life or activities, meaningful mood changes, or mentions of hopelessness or self-harm. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 19 Jan. 2026

That said, people should seek professional support for destructive behaviors that could cause severe distress or self-harm. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026

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