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

self-injurious

ˌself-in-ˈju̇r-ē-əs 

adjective

self-injurious behaviors

self-injure

ˌself-ˈin-jər 

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

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

Sometimes, self-injury may be associated with autism or intellectual or developmental disability. — Amy Morin, Parents, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-injury

• injury