damage 1 of 2

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as in fine
damages plural a sum of money to be paid as a punishment ordered by the court to pay $1000 in damages

Synonyms & Similar Words

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damage

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word damage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of damage are harm, hurt, impair, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When can harm be used instead of damage?

Although the words harm and damage have much in common, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

Where would hurt be a reasonable alternative to damage?

In some situations, the words hurt and damage are roughly equivalent. However, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When might impair be a better fit than damage?

The words impair and damage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

When could injure be used to replace damage?

While the synonyms injure and damage are close in meaning, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

In what contexts can mar take the place of damage?

The words mar and damage can be used in similar contexts, but mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of damage
Noun
Additionally, the ingredient can accelerate wound healing and cellular turnover, helping your skin recover from damage more quickly. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 June 2025 The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law allowing Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages. Ella Lee, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Verb
The hospital was originally built on the site of a former hospital after it was severely damaged by a fire in 1100, according to the York Museums Trust. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025 That day cost lives, damaged national trust and shook the very foundation of democratic stability. Oscar Chavez-Arrieta, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damage
Noun
  • In the exposé, Rolling Stone balanced public interest versus potential harm by considering the sensitive details surrounding what was then unverified accusations.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Preventing harm to children is a goal with which most people would agree.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The city issued 55 citations during the holiday week, totaling $100,000 in fines, according to a city staff report.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2025
  • Avelino Ramirez, 52, of Vallejo, faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on Sept. 18, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Since then, the value of the company’s shares has dropped nearly 60%, while Zaslav’s compensation soared.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 June 2025
  • The research shows that what employees genuinely value – fair compensation, opportunities for advancement, feeling valued, and meaningful work – transcends generational divides.
    Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Chase is set to raise the annual fee for its coveted Sapphire Reserve card, leaving cardholders and potential applicants wondering, Is the extra cost worth it?
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 20 June 2025
  • The team could go up to $14 million on him in theory; in practice, the Suns’ apron issues and the cost of a daunting repeater penalty might slow their roll on that front.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Miguel Tapia Velázquez was critically injured in a shooting early Saturday morning in Fort Worth, according to police.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2025
  • Since the moment Ben got injured in 2019, our chances of being a true Super Bowl contender have been low.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel, and more than 500 wounded.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
  • Mortally wounded, Campbell sped off to the nearby corner of Givan and Palmer Aves.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, 51, of Mexico, was arrested Friday and had previously been charged and convicted with assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury, DHS said.
    Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
  • Marcelo Mayer stepped into the void left at third base when Alex Bregman went down with a quad injury, making his major league debut, and has hit .222, with an OBP of less than .300.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • But in the last several years, especially with the makeup of the General Assembly becoming more progressive, lawmakers let the penalty enhancement provisions expire, made the diversion program permanent and removed its age restriction.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
  • Payment providers can face significant card brand penalties if they are found to facilitate deceptive behavior.
    Rochelle Blease, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damage. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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