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
Even the most memorable new character, Forky (Tony Hale)—an endearingly daffy piece of plastic cutlery with a tendency toward self-harm—could only reinforce the sense that we were being served a load of flimsy, disposable goods.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Yurich traces Eddie’s spiraling loss of control and his lurch into self-harm with raw feeling, and both writer and director take risks with a final act that can be interpreted as a victory but never glosses over the tremendous physical and emotional cost.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Grieving parents, including Ellen Roome, are demanding the UK government ban social media for under-16s, citing platforms' harmful designs contributing to anxiety, self-harm, and exploitation.
—
Belonging Forum,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
The criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, having unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, emotional instability, paranoia or dissociation under stress, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm.
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-harm
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Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Yurich traces Eddie’s spiraling loss of control and his lurch into self-harm with raw feeling, and both writer and director take risks with a final act that can be interpreted as a victory but never glosses over the tremendous physical and emotional cost.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Grieving parents, including Ellen Roome, are demanding the UK government ban social media for under-16s, citing platforms' harmful designs contributing to anxiety, self-harm, and exploitation.
—
Belonging Forum,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
The criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, having unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, emotional instability, paranoia or dissociation under stress, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm.
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 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 27 Jun. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
