as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cursing
to use profane or obscene language at or about
damned the car for once again breaking down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denouncing
to declare to be morally wrong or evil
a heresy that was quickly damned by a hastily called church council
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentencing
to impose a judicial punishment on
damned him to life in prison without the possibility of parole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of damning
Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Perhaps the most damning finding: The OPPG does no meaningful routine oversight.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
The layers to the appearance were endless, but the most damning is that Williams was rumored to date Drake years ago.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Adjective
The reaction from some prominent Trump supporters on social media to the document release, particularly the lack of new information, was swift and damning, with lots of criticism for the right-wing influencers involved — but much of the opprobrium reserved for Bondi.
—Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Perhaps the most damning finding: The OPPG does no meaningful routine oversight.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
The layers to the appearance were endless, but the most damning is that Williams was rumored to date Drake years ago.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damning
Adjective
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No punishment for shooting a disastrous 24 percent from 3, the team’s worst perimeter performance since its 6-for-23 effort from deep against St. John’s on Feb. 23.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
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Or how about their disastrous appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here?—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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No more dragging the reindeer down from the attic, cursing as hooves knock you on the noggin, a new piece missing each year.—
Zach Przystup,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Dec. 2024
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After listing off three notable cellmates who passed through — one who howled at the moon; one who talked to the wall; and one who'd strike her own head while cursing to herself — Blanchard describes yet another who trumped them all.—
Janine Rubenstein,
People.com,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The governor questioned the project’s future but stopped short of denouncing the possible use of eminent domain to advance the MPRP.—
Gary Collins,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Dec. 2024
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Among those denouncing the deportations was Gandy Thomas, Haiti’s permanent representative of the Organization of American states, an international body that promotes democracy and defends human rights.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Here at home, extreme weather exacerbated by climate change is having many unfortunate impacts on our lives, from farmers losing crops to devastating floods, brush fires, and high heat days.—
Michael Leone,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2025
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Viet and Nam try to make sense of the tragic deaths of unfortunate people like Nam’s father, while their film namesake also attempts to do similar for people like those who have perished when attempting to find a new life.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The statement sparked outrage with GOP lawmakers, who slammed Allstate for not explicitly condemning terrorism.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2025
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Back at the office, Helly receives news of her resignation request - her outie denied it, condemning her to a lifetime of work.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The ordeal ended with the fatal exchange of gunfire about 9:50 p.m., more than five hours after the first call to deputies.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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That is known as meconium aspiration syndrome – a potentially fatal condition that occurs in 5% to 10% of births but is treatable if diagnosed in time.—
Khwaga Ghani,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Finally, Assad’s fall has fueled domestic discontent among loyalists to the regime in Tehran, with some calling the loss a strategic blunder and openly criticizing the government on state television.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
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While most have become accustomed and perhaps even oblivious to McGregor’s online rants, openly criticizing a business partner is a little dicey.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Damning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damning. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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