self-injury
noun
self-in·ju·ry
ˌself-ˈin-jə-rē 
ˌself-ˈinj-rē
: injury to one's own body
The dog's excessive licking led to self-injury.
especially
: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism : self-harm
Recent studies have shown that personality disorders … are common …, are associated with high levels of self-injury and suicide, and have a considerable, stressful effect on families. —
S. Charles Schulz
S. Charles Schulz
self-injure
intransitive verb
self-injured; self-injuring; self-injures
Sufferers have traditionally been met with disgust by doctors, who find their self-injuring offensive.
—Tamala M. Edwards
Tamala M. Edwards
Examples of self-injury in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her 18-year-old daughter, Annalee, died by suicide in November 2020 after she was allegedly inundated with content related to disordered eating, self-injury, and suicide.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
This type of hand restraint during mechanical ventilation, meant to prevent self-injury, is used widely in ICUs around the world, though there’s been little research on the effectiveness.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
With severe autism, sudden changes to routine can result in changes in behavior, including self-injury, Shana said.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2026
Left untreated, these conditions can lead to self-injury, aggression, or even relinquishment to shelters.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Data from the Healthy Minds Study reveals that the percentage of students considering self-injury has not increased the past two years, after more than doubling from 14% in 2007 to 29% in 2022.
—Jeffrey A. Hayes, The Conversation, 12 June 2025
Research must zero in on the causes of some of the most troubling impairments that can come with autism, such as self-injury, aggressive behavior and even catatonia, as noted by the Autism Science Foundation.
—Mark Kendall, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
Documentation he’s recieved list self-injury, natural illness, and homicide, but no drug overdoses.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2024
Sometimes, self-injury may be associated with autism or intellectual or developmental disability.
—Amy Morin, Parents, 8 July 2024
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Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
This type of hand restraint during mechanical ventilation, meant to prevent self-injury, is used widely in ICUs around the world, though there’s been little research on the effectiveness.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
With severe autism, sudden changes to routine can result in changes in behavior, including self-injury, Shana said.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2026
Left untreated, these conditions can lead to self-injury, aggression, or even relinquishment to shelters.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Data from the Healthy Minds Study reveals that the percentage of students considering self-injury has not increased the past two years, after more than doubling from 14% in 2007 to 29% in 2022.
—Jeffrey A. Hayes, The Conversation, 12 June 2025
Research must zero in on the causes of some of the most troubling impairments that can come with autism, such as self-injury, aggressive behavior and even catatonia, as noted by the Autism Science Foundation.
—Mark Kendall, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
Documentation he’s recieved list self-injury, natural illness, and homicide, but no drug overdoses.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2024
Sometimes, self-injury may be associated with autism or intellectual or developmental disability.
—Amy Morin, Parents, 8 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Self-injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-injury. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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