self-harm
noun
: 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.
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
Torture hasn’t been reported from Guantánamo’s immigration operation, but ICE shift reports obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the government watchdog group American Oversight note concerns about detainees resorting to hunger strikes and self-harm.
—Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
On his phone, customs agents discovered messages encouraging extreme violence, rape, Nazism and self-harm.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2023, after scores of reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm among people taking GLP-1s, the European Medicines Agency initiated a safety review.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
In several cases described in court declarations, children — including some with developmental delays or chronic conditions — regressed while they were detained, losing language skills, wetting themselves or engaging in self-harm.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-harm
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Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
On his phone, customs agents discovered messages encouraging extreme violence, rape, Nazism and self-harm.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2023, after scores of reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm among people taking GLP-1s, the European Medicines Agency initiated a safety review.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
In several cases described in court declarations, children — including some with developmental delays or chronic conditions — regressed while they were detained, losing language skills, wetting themselves or engaging in self-harm.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 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 25 Feb. 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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