Harmfully: meaning, definitions and examples

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harmfully

 

[ˈhɑːmfəli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in a harmful manner

In a way that causes damage or injury to someone or something.

Synonyms

dangerously, destructively, negatively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
harmfully

Used when something causes damage or injury, particularly in a way that has detrimental effects over time.

  • Smoking can harmfully affect your lungs.
  • Chemicals in processed foods can harmfully impact your health.
destructively

Used when something causes extensive damage or destruction.

  • The hurricane hit the town destructively, leaving many homes in ruins.
  • He acted destructively, breaking everything in the room.
dangerously

Used when something poses an immediate threat or risk of harm.

  • He was driving dangerously fast.
  • The building is dangerously close to collapsing.
negatively

Used when something has a bad or harmful effect, particularly in an emotional or psychological sense.

  • Criticism can negatively affect a person's self-esteem.
  • The policy changes have been received negatively by the public.

Examples of usage

  • He was harmfully affected by the toxic chemicals in the air.
  • She spoke harmfully of her colleagues behind their backs.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'harmfully' combines 'harm', meaning damage, and the suffix '-fully', which indicates manner.
  • Its roots can be traced back to Old English 'hearm', which meant injury or damage.
  • The usage of 'harmfully' became more prominent in the English language during the 19th century, aligning with growing concerns over public health and safety.

Psychology

  • Psychologists study the harmful effects of negative environments on mental health, including stress from toxic relationships.
  • Research has shown that exposure to harmful behaviors in childhood can lead to long-term psychological issues, including anxiety and depression.
  • Understanding harmful patterns is essential in therapy to promote mental well-being and healing.

Environmental Science

  • Chemicals described as harmful can lead to significant degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
  • Pollutants like plastic waste in oceans are harmful, posing risks to marine life and human health.
  • Sustainability efforts aim to reduce harmful practices, focusing on creating a balance between human needs and environmental preservation.

Literature

  • In literature, characters often face harm as a theme, reflecting societal issues like injustice or oppression.
  • Many classic works explore the concept of harmful actions leading to consequences, portraying moral lessons.
  • Authors often depict harmful relationships to illustrate the struggles between characters, enhancing emotional depth.

Health

  • The term is frequently encountered in discussions about the harmful effects of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Nutrition promotes awareness about harmful substances in processed foods that can lead to health problems over time.
  • In modern medicine, recognizing harmful side effects from medications is crucial for patient safety.

Translations

Translations of the word "harmfully" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prejudicialmente

🇮🇳 हानिकारक रूप से

🇩🇪 schädlich

🇮🇩 merugikan

🇺🇦 шкідливо

🇵🇱 szkodliwie

🇯🇵 有害に

🇫🇷 nuisiblement

🇪🇸 perjudicialmente

🇹🇷 zararlı bir şekilde

🇰🇷 해롭게

🇸🇦 بشكل ضار

🇨🇿 škodlivě

🇸🇰 škodlivo

🇨🇳 有害地

🇸🇮 škodljivo

🇮🇸 skaðlega

🇰🇿 зиянды түрде

🇬🇪 ზიანით

🇦🇿 zərərli şəkildə

🇲🇽 perjudicialmente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,277, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.