Verbs for Causing Harm

to cause injury or physical pain to yourself or someone else

Be careful with that toy; it could hurt someone.

to physically cause harm to a person or thing

A misstep on the stairs could injure your leg.

any physical injury to the body, especially one inflicted deliberately that is caused by a person or an event

The victim suffered serious harm during the altercation.

air that moves quickly or strongly in a current as a result of natural forces

She could hear the wind howling outside her window.

to cause serious and often permanent injury to a person, typically by disabling a part of their body

The explosion maimed several individuals, leaving them with severe injuries.

to cause severe damage or harm

The accident mutilated his arm, leaving lasting scars.

a heavy club or hammer, often equipped with spikes, used as a weapon or tool for striking or crushing

The medieval knight wielded a fearsome maul in battle, capable of crushing armor and bone alike.

a mark that is left on one's skin after a wound or cut has healed

A scar is a permanent mark on the skin that remains after a wound or injury has healed.

to make injuries, particularly ones caused by a blow, appear on the skin and cause discoloration

The collision with the doorframe caused her arm to bruise.

to cause a bruise or injury to the body, typically by blunt force or impact

Firefighters must be careful when rescuing accident victims not to further contuse any injured areas.

the unpleasant feeling caused by an illness or injury

I have a sharp pain in my side when I breathe.

to hit and pass over something or someone with a vehicle, causing damage

The driver didn't see the bicycle and ran over it, causing damage to both the bike and the car.

to make someone or something unconscious

The anesthesia will knock you out before the surgery.

to harm or injure someone or something

The harsh criticism did scathe her emotions.

(of fire) to actively make heat and flames by using up things like coal or wood

The campfire slowly began to burn as the logs caught fire.

a handheld portable light source that uses a flame to lighten a place

He lit a torch to explore the dark cave.

to burn something slightly on the surface, causing a change in color without significant damage

The iron was too hot and began to scorch the fabric.

to lightly burn something on the surface, causing minimal damage

He accidentally singed the edge of his shirt while lighting the candle.

to burn something lightly

He carefully used a small flame to swinge the edges of the paper and give it a rustic look.

a burn or injury caused by contact with hot liquid or steam

The toddler suffered a scald from spilling boiling water.

to violently attack someone

The assailant attempted to assault the victim in a dark alley.

to attack someone aggressively, either physically or verbally

The bullies set on the young student after school, causing him great distress.

to attack or assault someone or something in a violent or aggressive manner

The unexpected criticism caused her to fly at her colleagues during the meeting.

to force someone to have sex against their will, particularly by using violence or threatening them

It is crucial for law enforcement to investigate cases promptly when someone is accused of raping another individual.

to inflict extreme mental pain, distress, or anxiety on someone

The constant interrogation seemed to torture him mentally, breaking his spirit.

extreme amount of pain or distress experienced either physically or mentally

The prisoner endured years of torment at the hands of his captors.

a structure or frame designed to hold or store objects

He placed the books on the rack in the study.

to cause or impose something unpleasant, harmful, or unwelcome upon someone or something

The hurricane inflicted significant damage on the coastal town.

a deadly substance that can kill or seriously harm if it enters the body

The scientist studied the effects of poison on the nervous system.

a painful infliction caused by a small sharp and pointed organ that some insects have and use to penetrate the prey and inject poison

She felt a sting on her arm after the bee landed on it.