as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the damaging effects of the sun on unprotected skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in injuring
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the explosion in the sewers damaged the entire city's water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wounding
to cause bodily damage to
his knee was badly damaged in the accident, and he walked with a limp for months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of damaging
Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Many of the most damaging storms of recent years caused unspeakable devastation while being far weaker than Category 5.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025
Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
The third season will follow the aftermath of damaging revelations that threaten #MomTok’s future.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
The damaging winds are expected to gradually subside across Jamaica, but it is advised to remain in a safe shelter until sunrise.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Many of the most damaging storms of recent years caused unspeakable devastation while being far weaker than Category 5.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
If regulations aren’t enough to scare companies into action, then damaging their reputation should.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
The third season will follow the aftermath of damaging revelations that threaten #MomTok’s future.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
-
The Quince style is dyed without harmful chemicals, giving the pants a one-of-a-kind look.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
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To Trump, of course, gutting the Civil Rights Act is likely to be a point of pride, enabling the government to focus on more urgent matters, such as protecting white students from the purportedly harmful effects of diversity-equity-and-inclusion programs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was officially charged with boating under the influence, including causing the death of Mallory and seriously injuring two other passengers.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Under state statute, the owner of a dog is liable for the full amount of damages their animal has caused by injuring or causing injury to a person, domestic animal or property.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The most jarring example is the June 20, 2021 massacre in Richmond, where SSL-502 members allegedly opened fire at a house party where people were celebrating the Guatemalan Summer Solstice, killing three and wounding four.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
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Williams shot two, police say, wounding one and killing Comeaux.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know In a video address, Probitkin said UnitedHealthcare has offered solutions that are one-sided and would be detrimental to patients and providers and accused big insurers like UnitedHealthcare of taking advantage of regional and safety net health care providers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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That’s not only unnecessary, but can be detrimental to the plants and the wider ecosystem.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The resumption of student loan payments, high inflation and a tough job market are key factors hurting young borrowers.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The ravages of loneliness are especially hurting people with disabilities.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But the succession crisis that her sudden and dangerous illness had brought to the fore would dominate the rest of her long reign.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Systems can be configured to identify signs of structural weaknesses, gas leaks, and other potentially dangerous stimuli emerging in hazardous areas and send data-rich alerts to operators suggesting a response.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Last year’s Camerimage was engulfed in controversy after festival founder and CEO Marek Żydowicz published an Op-Ed that appeared to argue that admitting the work of more female cinematographers would mean compromising on artistic quality.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
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Yoon believes that by being so focused on product and not compromising on innovation has resulted in high customer loyalty, which in turn has helped fuel sustained growth.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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