damaging

adjective

dam·​ag·​ing ˈda-mi-jiŋ How to pronounce damaging (audio)
: causing or able to cause damage : injurious
has a damaging effect on wildlife
damagingly adverb

Examples of damaging in a Sentence

the damaging effects of the sun on your skin The storm may produce damaging winds. He says he has damaging information about the candidate. The evidence was very damaging to their case.
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.
Storms have the potential for damaging winds and small hail. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025 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 The main threats are large hail up to 2 inches in diameter and damaging winds up to 60 mph. Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damaging

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damaging was circa 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damaging. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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