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

"Further remediation work and strengthened practice is required and therefore there remains a real risk of harm to the public and repetition of the conduct should Ms Robinson be permitted to practise unrestricted," they added.

From BBC

Meta said the Commission had provided "no evidence" of harm either to competitors or consumers.

From BBC

Although we think of these repatriation drives as federally driven, they were largely enacted by local officials, a stark reminder that local governments have tremendous power to harm — but also to resist.

From Los Angeles Times

Pippa McVeigh, from the neighbourhood harm reduction unit, warned there are a number of signs to watch out for in young people.

From BBC

The note did not describe a clear motive, the source said, but indicated a desire to cause harm and included claims that the man had “killed before.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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