harm

Physical injury or damage to a person or thing.

• The fall caused no harm.
• These chemicals can cause serious harm to your skin.
• Keep the children out of harm’s way.

How to use it: harm to someone/something (The fire caused harm to the surrounding forest.); do someone harm (The cold could do the young plants harm.)

Similar words: damage, injury

Common phrases: cause harm, bodily harm, harm to something

Trouble, loss, or other bad effects on someone’s life or situation.

• I wish them no harm.
• The delay did more harm than we expected.
• She meant no harm by asking that question.

How to use it: wish someone harm (Even after their argument, he wished her no harm.); harm to something (The rumours caused harm to his reputation.)

Similar words: damage, detriment

Opposites: good

Common phrases: wish someone harm, mean no harm, do more harm

Damage to someone’s feelings or mental health.

• Cruel words can cause harm.
• The bullying caused lasting emotional harm.
• She needed help after suffering serious psychological harm.

Similar words: hurt, damage

Common phrases: emotional harm, psychological harm, cause lasting harm

To damage something or make it worse.

• Pollution harms wildlife.
• The rumours harmed her reputation.
• Could these chemicals harm the plants?

Similar words: damage, hurt

Opposites: help, benefit

Common phrases: harm the environment, harm someone’s health, harm a business