1
: physical or mental damage : injury
the amount of harm sustained by the boat during the storm
2
: mischief, hurt
I meant you no harm.

harm

2 of 2

verb

harmed; harming; harms

transitive verb

: to damage or injure physically or mentally : to cause harm (see harm entry 1) to
No animals were harmed in the making of the film.
the national interest … was gravely harmed by this attack Elmer Davis
harmer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for harm

injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously.

injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Examples of harm in a Sentence

Noun They threatened him with bodily harm. The scandal has done irreparable harm to his reputation. She'll do anything to protect her children from harm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In a separate writeup, researchers at security firm Wiz said preliminary analysis of the attack has already established that dozens of tj-actions users have faced real harm in the supply-chain attack. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025 Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
TdA's mass migration to the United States will further the Maduro regime's objectives of harming U.S. citizens and undermining public safety, according to the White House. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025 Tobacco smoke is known to alter hormone levels and may harm thyroid health. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harm

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English hearm; akin to Old High German harm injury, Old Church Slavic sramŭ shame

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harm was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harm. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

harm

noun
ˈhärm
1
: physical or mental damage : injury
2
harm verb

Legal Definition

harm

noun
: loss of or damage to a person's right, property, or physical or mental well-being : injury
harm transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on harm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!