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

For starters, social media platforms could easily identify high-risk content (such as pro-anorexia or self-harm videos) and replace it with help lines and other online interventions. —Rob Morris, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

The algorithm detects potential indicators of problems like bullying, self-harm, suicide, or school violence and then sends a screenshot to human reviewers. —Claire Bryan and Sharon Lurye, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025

Jones had a history of depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation, the lawsuit stated. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025

This can include teens crying, contemplating self-harm, and even harming themselves or others. —Jolene Almendarez, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-harm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• arm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• firearm
• underarm

Kids Definition

self-harm

noun

ˌself-ˈhärm 

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