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

“We just didn’t want to put him in harm’s way,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Heritage crime refers to any illegal activity that harms historical assets.

From BBC

In addition, the city will dedicate $250,000 toward the development of new affordable housing, formally acknowledge that the ban harmed fair housing efforts and accept increased state monitoring of its housing policies.

From Los Angeles Times

It said precautionary measures had been taken to mitigate harm to civilians, "including advance warnings to the population" and the use of "precise munitions".

From BBC

The “harm reduction” model followed at the tiny home village on the campus has been valuable in getting veterans off the street who are struggling with substance abuse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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