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Harm: meaning, definitions and examples

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harm

 

[hɑːm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

cause of injury or damage

Harm refers to physical or mental damage caused by someone or something. It can be intentional or unintentional. Harm can result from actions, words, or even negligence.

Synonyms

damage, hurt, injury.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
harm

General term for causing physical or emotional pain or damage. Can be used both for people and broader contexts like the environment.

  • The new law aims to reduce harm to the environment
  • Spreading rumors can harm someone's reputation
damage

Often used when talking about physical destruction or impairment to objects, property, or non-human entities.

  • The storm caused significant damage to the buildings
  • The software update somehow damaged my laptop
injury

Specific to physical harm or damage to a person's body, often requiring medical attention.

  • She sustained an injury during the football match
  • The car accident resulted in multiple injuries
hurt

More personal and direct, often used for physical pain or emotional distress that someone feels.

  • I fell and hurt my knee
  • His words really hurt her feelings

Examples of usage

  • Hitting someone can cause physical harm.
  • Spreading rumors can cause harm to someone's reputation.
  • Neglecting to provide proper care can harm a person's health.
Context #2 | Verb

to cause damage or injury

When used as a verb, harm means to cause damage or injury to someone or something. It implies an action that results in negative consequences.

Synonyms

damage, hurt, injure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
harm

Use when referring to general negative effects or consequences, can be physical, emotional, or environmental.

  • Pollution can harm the ecosystem.
  • Spreading rumors can harm someone's reputation.
damage

Often used when talking about physical injury, deterioration or destruction of objects, property, or infrastructure.

  • The storm caused severe damage to the houses.
  • Make sure not to damage the equipment.
injure

Used in situations involving physical injury, often in accidents or violent incidents. Commonly used in medical contexts.

  • He injured his arm in the car accident.
  • The athlete was injured during the game.
hurt

Typically used to express physical or emotional pain, often in personal and direct interactions.

  • She hurt her leg while playing soccer.
  • It hurts when people don't listen to me.

Examples of usage

  • The storm harmed the crops in the field.
  • Exposure to harmful chemicals can harm your health.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'hearm' meaning 'injury' or 'damage'.
  • It shares roots with the German word 'harm' which carries the same meaning, showing a shared history in language.
  • In Middle English, 'harm' was often used to describe physical injuries as well as emotional hurt.

Psychology

  • Research shows that repeated exposure to harm, even indirectly (like through media), can lead to desensitization.
  • Feelings of harm can create lasting emotional scars, affecting relationships and mental health.
  • Understanding harm is vital in psychology, especially in contexts like trauma therapy and recovery.

Law

  • In legal terms, harm is often a key factor in tort law, where a person can seek compensation for losses.
  • The concept of 'harm' in criminal law involves determining the impact of an offense on victims' well-being.
  • Proving harm is essential in cases of negligence, where the defendant may be held liable for causing injury.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often explore themes of harm, showcasing emotional pain through lyrics (e.g., ballads about heartbreak).
  • Movies frequently depict harm as a central conflict, influencing characters to evolve or seek redemption.
  • Social media can amplify discussions about harm, particularly related to bullying and mental health awareness.

Philosophy

  • Many philosophical discussions revolve around the 'harm principle', advocating that actions are only wrong if they cause harm to others.
  • Ethics often entails weighing the potential harm of choices against their benefits, leading to debates on moral responsibility.
  • The debate on harm extends into discussions around free speech, where the potential for harm is weighed against the right to express opinions.

Translations

Translations of the word "harm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dano

🇮🇳 हानि

🇩🇪 Schaden

🇮🇩 kerugian

🇺🇦 шкода

🇵🇱 szkoda

🇯🇵 害 (がい)

🇫🇷 dommage

🇪🇸 daño

🇹🇷 zarar

🇰🇷 해 (hae)

🇸🇦 ضرر

🇨🇿 poškození

🇸🇰 škoda

🇨🇳 损害 (sǔnhài)

🇸🇮 škoda

🇮🇸 skaði

🇰🇿 зиян

🇬🇪 ზიანი

🇦🇿 zərər

🇲🇽 daño

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,229, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.