What is the antonym of “heal”?
The antonyms of heal are injure, harm, and worsen. These words convey the opposite meaning of heal, which is to make something better or restore it to its original state.
Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
injure
To cause physical harm or damage to someone or something.
Example
The car accident injured several passengers and damaged the vehicle.
harm
To cause damage or injury to someone or something, often unintentionally.
Example
Excessive exposure to sunlight can harm your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.
worsen
To become or make something worse than it was before.
Example
If you don't take care of your health, your condition may worsen and lead to more serious problems.
How are these antonyms different from each other?
- 1Injure implies physical harm or damage caused by an external force.
- 2Harm can be both physical and non-physical, and it often implies unintended consequences.
- 3Worsen refers to a decline in the condition of something or someone.
Good things to know
- 1Medical Context: Use heal and its antonyms to describe the progress of a patient's condition.
- 2Personal Growth: Use these antonyms to describe the negative effects of harmful habits or behaviors.
- 3Environmental Issues: Use harm and worsen to describe the impact of human activities on the environment.
Remember this!
The antonyms of heal are injure, harm, and worsen. Injure implies physical harm, harm can be both physical and non-physical, and worsen refers to a decline in the condition. Use these words in medical contexts, personal growth discussions, and environmental issues to describe the negative effects of harmful habits or behaviors.
