unharmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unharmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has not been injured or damaged in any way. Example: "Despite the accident, the driver emerged from the car unharmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later taken to a police station, Nesbitt ultimately got out of the situation unharmed, he remembered, because his schoolteacher father and pediatrician uncle were well respected in their Lawndale neighborhood – where, then as now, the red brick towers and warehouse complex now known as the Homan Square police facility marks the skyline.

The Guardian

The Polish promoter merely dropped us at the train stations and expected us to show up at the next town unharmed and unfazed.

The Guardian - Music

Most of Japan remains unharmed by the disaster, and the streets have leapt back to life.

The New York Times

This eye-shaped hole should let the rare red snapper (and other fish) swim away unharmed.

The Economist

He was freed unharmed but she was beaten to death.

The Economist

On Wednesday, Israeli commandos rescued him unharmed from a building near the West Bank town of Ramallah, where he had spent his five days' captivity, and arrested several Palestinians.

The Economist

Nor has it been humbled by the long antitrust trial that left it a convicted monopolist, albeit relatively unharmed.

The Economist

Over 130 people were killed and at least 250 injured, including several leaders of Miss Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP .Miss Bhutto, who was using a lavatory inside the lorry when the bombers struck, was unharmed.

The Economist

During the cold war, neutrality also seemed to offer some protection, but the benefits were less clear-cut, because the whole of western Europe also emerged unharmed.

The Economist

This clears the underbrush but leaves the big trees unharmed.

The Economist

Perhaps, if Wall Street only slips rather than slides, if foreign policy goes the president's way, if Mr Starr's report is not too damning, the president will still glide, unharmed, around the iceberg.But those are already a lot of "ifs", and the biggest is yet to come.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unharmed" to clearly and concisely indicate that someone or something did not sustain any injuries or damage during an event or situation. It provides a sense of relief and reassurance.

Common error

Avoid using "unharmed" when there might be psychological or emotional distress even if there's no physical injury. "Safe" or "okay" might be more appropriate in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unharmed" primarily functions to describe a subject that has not suffered any injury or damage. It's frequently used to reassure or emphasize the positive outcome of a potentially harmful situation, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unharmed" is a versatile adjective that effectively conveys the absence of injury or damage following a potentially harmful event. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and encyclopedia articles. When using "unharmed", ensure that it accurately reflects the situation, particularly concerning potential psychological or emotional distress. Alternatives like "unscathed" or "uninjured" can provide similar meanings, while phrases like "safe and sound" offer a broader sense of well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unscathed

Implies surviving without any injury or damage, often in situations where harm was likely.

uninjured

Directly states the absence of physical injury.

safe and sound

Emphasizes both safety from danger and overall well-being.

in one piece

Suggests surviving an event without being broken or damaged.

without a scratch

Implies no damage at all, even minor ones.

untouched

Indicates something was not affected or damaged by an event.

safe from harm

Highlights the condition of being protected from danger.

came through safely

Indicates successful passage through a dangerous situation.

escaped injury

Focuses on avoiding physical harm.

without suffering damage

Emphasizes the absence of any adverse effects or damage.

FAQs

How can I use "unharmed" in a sentence?

You can use "unharmed" to describe someone or something that has not been injured or damaged. For example, "Despite the car accident, all passengers emerged "unharmed"."

What is a good alternative to saying "unharmed"?

Alternatives to "unharmed" include "unscathed", "uninjured", or "safe and sound". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "safe and unharmed"?

While "safe" and "unharmed" both imply a lack of injury or danger, "safe and unharmed" can be used for emphasis, especially when highlighting both the security and physical well-being of someone or something.

Can "unharmed" apply to objects or only to living beings?

"Unharmed" can apply to both. You might say a person emerged "unharmed" from a fire, or that a valuable painting remained "unharmed" during a flood.