damning

adjective

damn·​ing ˈda-miŋ How to pronounce damning (audio)
1
: bringing damnation
a damning sin
2
: causing or leading to condemnation or ruin
presented some damning testimony
damningly adverb

Examples of damning in a Sentence

a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars
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.
No turnover was more damning and critical than his giveaway in front of the Clippers bench with 33.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Law Murray, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025 Beyond the numbers, the comments from signatories were powerful—and damning. Angel Algarin, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025 To fail to do so is foolish, reckless and damning for their children’s life and future. Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 The subsequent report was damning, and Trump implemented numerous tariffs on Chinese goods—tariffs that, to his rare credit, former President Joe Biden largely kept in place and even built upon. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damning

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of damning was in 1595

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Cite this Entry

“Damning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damning. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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