damaging

adjective

dam·​ag·​ing ˈda-mi-jiŋ How to pronounce damaging (audio)
: causing or able to cause damage : injurious
has a damaging effect on wildlife
damagingly adverb

Examples of damaging in a Sentence

the damaging effects of the sun on your skin The storm may produce damaging winds. He says he has damaging information about the candidate. The evidence was very damaging to their case.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That meant a cocktail of damaging offensive droughts, an inability to control ball-handlers off the dribble, an inability to stop sustained runs, too many offensive rebounds and put-backs by the opponent, mindless turnovers and second half collapses. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025 The National Weather Service predicted severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and a few tornadoes in the afternoon and evening across parts of the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2025 Widespread damaging wind gusts and several tornadoes are possible in this area with the threat lasting into the nighttime hours in some locations. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2025 Three likely tornadoes were reported in Mississippi, damaging homes, power lines and a trailer park. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damaging

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damaging was circa 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damaging. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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