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harm

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word harm distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of harm are damage, hurt, impair, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When might damage be a better fit than harm?

While the synonyms damage and harm are close in meaning, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When is it sensible to use hurt instead of harm?

The words hurt and harm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When would impair be a good substitute for harm?

The meanings of impair and harm largely overlap; however, impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

In what contexts can injure take the place of harm?

The words injure and harm can be used in similar contexts, but injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

When can mar be used instead of harm?

While in some cases nearly identical to harm, mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of harm
Noun
Each agency in charge of enforcing each law would then weigh potential harms, with enforcement to be modified based on how much of the application each agency approves. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025 Anything short of that will only deepen inefficiencies, inflate costs and exacerbate environmental harm. Lee-Lean Shu, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
While some ingredients are considered safe, others are drawing more scrutiny for their potential to harm digestive health. Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025 Attire must not represent or resemble any official park character, disrupt regular company operations or potentially harm another guest or associate. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harm
Noun
  • In some cases, the full extent of damage becomes clear only once treatment begins.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Soros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country!
    Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The severity, healing and availability of Purdy’s toe will depend heavily on which toe is injured and what specific part of the toe got injured.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Boy Meets World — Savage’s comedy legacy has been marred by multiple misconduct allegations over the years.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Holes marred the walls in the kitchen under the dish machine, dry storage and dish storage rooms.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Petry spent the last two seasons back in Michigan with the Detroit Red Wings, but injuries limited him to 44 games in the 2024-25 season.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • With 15 games remaining, Smith may not have enough time to rehab the injury and return for the end of the regular season.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But some of his campaign’s reactions to Fetterman’s stroke in May 2022 hurt his chances even more.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Lopes is a very tough fighter, but his inability to stay technical will hurt him against the powerful Silva.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • A student who authorities say opened fire at his Colorado high school, wounding two classmates and then turning the gun on himself, has died, according to the local sheriff's office.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Police say Reed then opened fire in the parking lot, killing Jones, wounding a 23-year-old Dallas man and also shooting at off-duty officers who were working at the business.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harm. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on harm

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