Pronunciation

/hɑːrm/

Definitions

• Noun: Injury, damage, or adverse effect caused to something or someone; physical or mental suffering. For example: “The storm did considerable harm to the crops.”

  • Legal sense: The infliction of injury, loss, or detriment upon a person’s rights, property, reputation, etc., especially through negligence or by willful intent.

• Verb: To cause damage, injury, or pain to someone or something; to do harm or hurt. For example: “Smoking can seriously harm your health.”

Phrases

• “Do no harm”: This phrase is often used as a principle in medical practice and ethics, meaning not to cause any harm or injury.
• “Harm’s way”: A situation where one is exposed to potential danger or harm. For example: “They put themselves in harm’s way to save others from the fire.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The pollution is causing irreparable harm to the environment.”
• Verb: “Excessive alcohol consumption can seriously harm your liver.”

Synonyms

• Damage
• Injury
• Hurt
• Wound
• Afflict
• Injure
• Endanger
• Undermine (in certain contexts)

Antonyms:

• Benefit
• Help
• Aid
• Protect
• Heal

Derived forms

• Harmful (adj): Causing or capable of causing harm; detrimental.
  • Example: “Exposure to UV rays is harmful to the skin.”
• Harmlessly (adv): Without causing harm or injury.
  • Example: “The ball harmlessly bounced off the wall.”