harm

1 of 2

noun

ˈhärm 

1

: physical or mental damage : injury

the amount of harm sustained by the boat during the storm

2

: mischief, hurt

I meant you no harm.

harm

2 of 2

verb

harmed; harming; harms

transitive verb

: to damage or injure physically or mentally : to cause harm (see harm entry 1) to

No animals were harmed in the making of the film.

the national interest … was gravely harmed by this attack

—Elmer Davis

harmer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• affliction
• damage
• detriment
• hurt
• injury

Verb

• damage
• hurt
• injure
• wound

Choose the Right Synonym for harm

injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously.

injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Examples of harm in a Sentence

Noun

They threatened him with bodily harm.

The scandal has done irreparable harm to his reputation.

She'll do anything to protect her children from harm.

They have suffered serious physical harm.

These new regulations could cause lasting harm to small businesses.

Verb

He would never intentionally harm his children.

chemicals that could harm the environment

The scandal has seriously harmed his reputation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Although the Trump administration may have good intentions in testing new vaccines for greater safety and transparency, the harm done by unintended consequences could be devastating. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

But getting rid of the system without a meaningful replacement will only cause harm, says Schlegelmilch. —Simmone Shah, Time, 2 May 2025

Verb

Part of the tour contributes to the health of the ecosystem by funding the removal of non-native predators such as stoats and rats, which harm native bird populations and other wildlife in New Zealand. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

My client was attacked unprovoked and in the scuffle someone else was unintentionally harmed. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English hearm; akin to Old High German harm injury, Old Church Slavic sramŭ shame

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing harm

• do more harm than good
• harm's way
• no harm done
• self-harm

Rhymes for harm

• arm
• charm
• farm
• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• firearm
• underarm

Kids Definition

harm

noun

ˈhärm

1

: physical or mental damage : injury

2

: mischief sense 3, hurt

harm verb

Legal Definition

harm

noun

: loss of or damage to a person's right, property, or physical or mental well-being : injury

harm transitive verb