harms
Does injury to
Harms is the plural of harm—injuries, damages, or negative effects: The report documented the harms of prolonged screen time.
The word appears frequently in policy and medical contexts where multiple distinct negative outcomes need cataloging: potential harms and benefits, reducing harms to patients.
As a verb, harms is the third-person singular: Smoking harms the lungs.
Physical or psychological harm
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- fractureSplit in hard material
- lacerationTorn, ragged wound
bruise · burn · concussion · sprain · contusion · abrasion · cut · gash
Violation of rights
- breachBreaking of agreement
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
encroachment · invasion · infraction · misconduct · malfeasance · wrongdoing · crime · illegality
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- assaultViolent offensive act
- mistreatmentCruel or harmful behavior
- neglectFailure to provide care
harassment · intimidation · coercion · manipulation · gaslighting · oppression · persecution · torment
Lasting psychological wound
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
anxiety · depression · despair · heartache · torment · misery · pain · hopelessness
Denial of fair treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
prejudice · bias · racism · sexism · xenophobia · stigma · ostracism · disenfranchisement
Source of potential harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
jeopardy · exposure · vulnerability · liability · pitfall · adverse effects · side effects · collateral damage
Act of completely ruining
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- vandalismWillful property damage
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- erosionGradual wearing away
breakage · defacement · ruin · devastation · wreckage · spoilage · blight · contamination
injury
Physical or psychological harm
laceration · bruise · burn · concussion · sprain · contusion · abrasion · cut · gash · strain
infringement
Violation of rights
- breachBreaking of agreement
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- offenseViolation or umbrage
trespass · encroachment · invasion · infraction · misconduct · malfeasance · wrongdoing · crime · illegality · malpractice
bullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- assaultViolent offensive act
- mistreatmentCruel or harmful behavior
neglect · harassment · intimidation · coercion · manipulation · gaslighting · oppression · persecution · torment · molestation
trauma
Lasting psychological wound
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
grief · anxiety · depression · despair · heartache · torment · misery · pain · hopelessness · melancholy
injustice
Denial of fair treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
exclusion · prejudice · bias · racism · sexism · xenophobia · stigma · ostracism · disenfranchisement · displacement
hazard
Source of potential harm
menace · jeopardy · exposure · vulnerability · liability · pitfall · adverse effects · side effects · collateral damage · unintended consequences
destruction
Act of completely ruining
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- vandalismWillful property damage
- corrosionChemical wearing away
erosion · breakage · defacement · ruin · devastation · wreckage · spoilage · blight · contamination · pollution
- no harm doneReassurance after a mishap
- out of harm's wayIn a secure position
- wouldn't harm a flyExtremely gentle, nonviolent
- do more harm than goodNegative net effect
- do no harmAvoid causing injury
- harm's wayPosition of potential injury
harm, harmful, harmless, harmed, unharmed, harming, harmlessly, harmfully, harmlessness