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

Other Word Forms

• harmer noun
• self-harming adjective
• unharmed adjective
• unharming 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

Obviously, the harm and destruction were terrible things.

From Los Angeles Times

But as of Tuesday, four workers have claimed they were harmed in the incident, according to a lawsuit filed in Texas.

From Los Angeles Times

For decades, doctors have prescribed them, and patients have taken them, even though most do little good and can potentially do serious harm.

From BBC

But if used to harm people, animals or property, their use could be illegal under existing laws.

From BBC

It added that the amount of money victims receive will depend on the degree of harm suffered by the consumer.

From BBC

Related Words

• abuse 
• damage 
• hurt 
• impair 
• inconvenience 
• maim 
• mar 
• outrage 
• prejudice 
• ruin 
• sabotage 
• sap 
• shatter 
• shock 
• tarnish 
• trample 
• traumatize 
• undermine 
• wreck