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

Throughout life, our cells are continually exposed to both internal and external influences that can harm DNA.

Read more on Science Daily

"These children have not only suffered terrible abuse at the hands of the perpetrators but have been woefully let down by the authorities meant to protect them from harm."

Read more on BBC

Elham Jalayer, harm reduction director with the social services group Bienestar, said a fence would further criminalize the homeless and give the city an excuse to push people out of the neighborhood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In wealthier, more equal societies, people appear more sensitive to the potential harms of excess.

Read more on Salon

At a time when these communities are vilified by those who wish to harm them, Mehiel insists on the importance of such normalized visibility.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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