harm

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 of harm

• damage
• injure
• hurt
• 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

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

No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2026

Behavioral health companies in South Florida say they are being impacted by Medicaid termination letters, with facilities stating the cuts are harming patients who need help and leaving many therapists out of work. —Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 4 June 2026

In family court, Sanchez, his attorneys and the guardian ad litem argued that the federal lawsuit is further evidence that Saenz — and now Levin — are harming the boy by involving him in the custody battle. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026

Klayton Rutherford, the organization's director of captive wildlife advocacy, alleged in a statement obtained by People that animals at the facility are harmed by breeding practices and close-contact encounters designed to generate revenue. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

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