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

In addition, the association said teens who use social media most frequently report suffering from poor mental health at higher rates, including a greater tendency to think about suicide or self-harm. —Linh Tat, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

For years, experts in correctional health have warned that keeping people in isolation for even a short period of time can cause psychiatric harm and increase the risk of suicide or self-harm. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

Decades of research confirms that DBT reduces suicide attempts and self-harm. —Dr. Jesse Finkelstein, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

Another case involved a 17-year-old whose chatbot allegedly encouraged self-harm and suggested murdering parents was a reasonable way to retaliate against them for limiting screen time. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 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