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
For example, youth who develop self-harm behavior or substance misuse may require additional monitoring and may be allowed less privacy to ensure their safety.
—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
26 June 2026
Early also has a larger target in view, the fickleness of internet celebrity, a lure that often comes with self-harm.
—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The analysis reveals guidance for identifying symptoms, suggesting professional help, and handling sensitive topics like self-harm and disordered eating with caution and accurate resources.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
More and more kids are using AI chatbots in their daily lives, raising fears that they could be led to self-harm or exposed to privacy or safety vulnerabilities.
—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
The Washington Examiner,
23 June 2026
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Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
26 June 2026
Early also has a larger target in view, the fickleness of internet celebrity, a lure that often comes with self-harm.
—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The analysis reveals guidance for identifying symptoms, suggesting professional help, and handling sensitive topics like self-harm and disordered eating with caution and accurate resources.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
More and more kids are using AI chatbots in their daily lives, raising fears that they could be led to self-harm or exposed to privacy or safety vulnerabilities.
—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
The Washington Examiner,
23 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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