self-harm

noun

ˌself-ˈhärm

: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism

Although most cutters are young women who have been emotionally, sexually, or physically abused as children, [Marilee] Strong's research shows that this specific type of self-harm also appears in other groups.—

Maria Simson et al.

called also self-injury, self-mutilation

self-harm intransitive verb

self-harmed; self-harming; self-harms

teenagers who self-harm

Examples of self-harm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Gyeom almost immediately suspects that Jun’s car accident was not an accident at all, but an attempt at self-harm. —

Kayti Burt, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 The report stated Gleason-Mitchell had engaged in self-harming behavior and suicide attempts in the past. —

Becca Longmire, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025 The suit alleges that suicidal thoughts and self-harm have skyrocketed since 2010, when social media became nearly universal among teens. —

Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Social media use has been linked to self-harm in some cases. —

Leah A. Plunkett, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for self-harm