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Unscathed semantics: exploring "unharmed" vs. "undamaged"

Lloyd Cooper 18/10/2024, 03:48
English.me team member
Unharmed and undamaged. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "unharmed" and "undamaged" describe a state of having avoided injury or damage. They are used to convey that something or someone is in the same condition as before a potentially harmful event.

What is different?

"Unharmed" typically refers to living beings and their safety, while "undamaged" is used more broadly for objects and structures. "Unharmed" focuses on the absence of harm or injury, whereas "undamaged" focuses on the absence of physical damage.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for unharmed) and undamaged

Examples of usage

Unharmed
  • The child was found unharmed after the accident.
  • Despite the rough journey, the explorers arrived unharmed.
  • The rescue team ensured that the hikers were unharmed.
Undamaged
  • The package arrived at its destination undamaged.
  • The storm left the building undamaged.
  • The delicate vase was miraculously undamaged after the crash.