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
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
The Miami Herald report found that out of 182 fatalities, 41 percent were ruled suicides by local medical examiners, contradicting earlier company claims that the majority of the deaths were intentional acts of self-harm.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Fall River Police were dispatched to 117 Langley St., at roughly 1:37 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an armed man inside that residence who was making statements of self-harm.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
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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
The Miami Herald report found that out of 182 fatalities, 41 percent were ruled suicides by local medical examiners, contradicting earlier company claims that the majority of the deaths were intentional acts of self-harm.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Fall River Police were dispatched to 117 Langley St., at roughly 1:37 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an armed man inside that residence who was making statements of self-harm.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
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 29 Jul. 2025.
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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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