harm

¹

[ hahrm ]

noun

1. physical injury or mental damage; hurt:

   to do him bodily harm.

   Antonyms: benefit

2. moral injury; evil; wrong.

verb (used with object)

1. to do or cause harm to; injure; damage; hurt:

   to harm one's reputation.

   Synonyms: abuse, maltreat

   Antonyms: help

HARM

²

[ hahrm ]

noun

, Military.

1. a U.S. air-to-surface missile designed to detect and destroy radar sites by homing on their emissions.

harm

/ hɑːm /

noun

1. physical or mental injury or damage
2. moral evil or wrongdoing

verb

1. tr to injure physically, morally, or mentally

Derived Forms

• ˈharmer, noun

Other Words From

• harmer noun
• self-harming adjective
• un·harmed adjective
• un·harming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of harm¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hearm; cognate with German Harm, Old Norse harmr

Origin of harm²

H(igh-speed) A(nti) R(adiation) M(issile)

Word History and Origins

Origin of harm¹

Old English hearm; related to Old Norse harmr grief, Old High German harm injury, Old Slavonic sramǔ disgrace

Idioms and Phrases

see do one wrong (harm) ; out of harm's way .

Synonym Study

See damage.

Example Sentences

I thought about the mother, her fear of the dark, of the harm she feared might come to her daughters.

From The Daily Beast

I meant no harm by it, but I remembered how this person talked, and I did it for my Mom and she was not into it.

From The Daily Beast

The official spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to harm future access to those embattled communities.

From The Daily Beast

Is there something wrong with trans people that drives us to self-harm?

From The Daily Beast

Whether or not Hippocrates ever actually said “First, do no harm,” the axiom is central to medical ethics.

From The Daily Beast

Fajardo seconds the demand of the citizens of Manila that the Audiencia be suppressed, alleging that it does more harm than good.

From Project Gutenberg

And if he was worried about Farmer Green's cat, why didn't he dig a hole for himself at once, and get out of harm's way?

From Project Gutenberg

Calkilate we should do ourselves more harm than him by shooting down his people.

From Project Gutenberg

These are obtained easily, whence follow the sinister reports that they give your Majesty, to the harm of the public welfare.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wouldn't do him any harm for the world," said Mrs. Kaye, casting down her eyes and looking very young and innocent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abuse
• damage
• disservice
• impairment
• loss
• mischief
• misuse
• sabotage
• vandalism
• violence
• wrong