Harm Meaning
Harm Definition & Usage
To cause physical injury or damage to someone or something.
Examples
- "The accident harmed both drivers, leaving them with serious injuries."
- "The storm harmed the crops, resulting in a significant loss for the farmers."
- "The chemicals in the air are known to harm human health over time."
- "She didn’t want to harm the animal, so she carefully let it go."
- "The faulty equipment harmed several workers, causing delays in production."
To cause emotional pain, distress, or suffering to someone.
Examples
- "His harsh words harmed her feelings, and she cried for hours."
- "It harms me to see you struggle like this, but I don’t know how to help."
- "The betrayal harmed their friendship beyond repair."
- "The news of his failure harmed his reputation in the industry."
- "She felt that her actions had harmed her family, and she sought their forgiveness."
To put someone or something at risk of harm or danger.
Examples
- "His careless driving harmed the safety of others on the road."
- "The poor handling of the data harmed the company's credibility."
- "If we don’t act quickly, we could harm the environment irreparably."
- "The new policy could harm the economy in the long run."
- "You’re harming your health by smoking every day."
Cultural Context
The word 'harm' has its roots in Old English 'harmian', which referred to injury or damage. It has since evolved to encompass a wider range of meanings, from physical harm to emotional and social damage. In modern usage, 'harm' is used both to describe tangible injuries and abstract forms of damage.
The Weight of Words and Actions
Story
The Weight of Words and Actions
Once upon a time, in a small town nestled between towering mountains, there was a gentle baker named Clara. Clara had a kind heart and a reputation for treating everyone with care. One day, a terrible storm hit the town, and a large tree branch crashed onto her bakery, damaging the roof and windows. Clara was devastated, but she quickly got to work with the help of her friends. As they repaired the damage, Clara was approached by a young woman named Emma. Emma was a regular at the bakery, but recently, she'd been distant. Clara asked her what was wrong, and Emma confessed that she felt emotionally harmed by something Clara had said during their last conversation. "You told me that my dream of becoming an artist wasn't practical," Emma said, her eyes filled with sadness. Clara was stunned. She never meant to harm Emma, but she realized that her words, though well-intended, had struck a deep wound. She apologized, and the two embraced, understanding that emotional harm can sometimes be even more lasting than physical injury. Clara vowed never again to let her words harm others. As the days passed, Clara worked tirelessly to rebuild her bakery, and with every brick she laid, she remembered the importance of kindness and mindfulness. The storm had caused damage to her shop, but the emotional healing took longer. It was through careful conversations, understanding, and love that Clara was able to mend both the bakery and her relationship with Emma.
