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
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Oil spills can be especially damaging in freshwater environments, such as Lake Superior.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Often, there are small eyes near the soil surface; avoid damaging them in the process.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
Mock says the ingredients in these (nearly) do-it-all formulas might prove too harsh, compromising the sealant and damaging or discoloring the stone beneath.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Oil spills can be especially damaging in freshwater environments, such as Lake Superior.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
While the Dirksen courthouse is often a visible rallying point for protesters, anyone arrested is unlikely to be processed in the building unless they are accused of assaulting a federal official or damaging federal property.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Often, there are small eyes near the soil surface; avoid damaging them in the process.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
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According to a five-pillar plan shared with CNBC, Cruz also aims to create federal standards for AI, prevent AI from being used in harmful ways such as scams, allow free speech and address ethical concerns.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Nonfiction narratives that students both read and produce serve as counter-narratives to the oppressive and harmful tropes in media more generally about Black girls and girlhood.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Colorado Springs club shooting A 22-year-old gunman entered an LGBTQ nightclub in November 2022 in Colorado Springs shortly before midnight and immediately opened fire, killing at least five people and injuring 25 others before patrons confronted and stopped him, police said.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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The suspect was indicted by a federal grand jury in July and is also accused of shooting and injuring another state lawmaker and his wife earlier the same day.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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A student who authorities say opened fire at his Colorado high school, wounding two classmates and then turning the gun on himself, has died, according to the local sheriff's office.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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Police say Reed then opened fire in the parking lot, killing Jones, wounding a 23-year-old Dallas man and also shooting at off-duty officers who were working at the business.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, from an AI duality perspective, there is also a solid chance that AI can be detrimental to mental health.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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These die-offs have caused detrimental imbalances within the habitats.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boston comes in with three straight losses marring otherwise agreeable vibes.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But reducing the supply of homes available for sale also pushed home prices up, hurting families on the cusp of homeownership.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
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Doctors spent several minutes resuscitating Luka before making the difficult decision to use a paralyzing agent to stop him from moving and potentially hurting himself.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Whatever happens in their final qualifier, against Argentina on Tuesday, La Tri will travel to the World Cup next summer as one of South America’s most dangerous teams.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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To dissidents, she has been seen as a hero putting her life on the line; to Modi’s supporters, as a dangerous subversive who is anti-national and anti-Hindu.—
Anderson Tepper,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Unit construction costs are estimated at $277,000, arriving at rents 40% below comparable market apartments, proving that pre-construction design work married with the right product with the right site can deliver lower cost without compromising investor yield.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lovevook Laptop Tote Bag Looking stylish for work doesn’t have to mean compromising on function.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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