Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Harmfully Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💥
Add to dictionary

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?

arrow down
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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'harmfully'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'harmfully' is derived from the adjective 'harmful', which dates back to the late 14th century. The suffix '-ly' is added to form the adverb 'harmfully', indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Over the years, 'harmfully' has been used to describe actions or behaviors that have a detrimental or damaging effect on someone or something.

See also: harm, harmed, harmful, harmfulness, harming, harmless, harmony, unharmed.

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.