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
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
National Park Service officials say the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s liner was sliced with a sharp blade, damaging sealant and prompting a Destruction of Government Property investigation and post–July Fourth repairs.
—
Matthew Daly,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
They were convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God), corruption on earth, damaging public and private property and crimes against national security.
—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
As storms organize through the afternoon and evening, they are expected to grow into larger clusters capable of producing widespread damaging wind gusts.
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Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
National Park Service officials say the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s liner was sliced with a sharp blade, damaging sealant and prompting a Destruction of Government Property investigation and post–July Fourth repairs.
—
Matthew Daly,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Verb
This harmful smog severely impacts human health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, while also damaging crops and ecosystems.
—
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
They were convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God), corruption on earth, damaging public and private property and crimes against national security.
—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
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Telegram said its moderation systems remove millions of pieces of harmful content each month, including non-consensual pornography.
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Developing a negative self-view as a result of these harmful experiences during your formative years is not uncommon.
Verb
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In 2022, for example, someone back-flipped off a bridge and into a raft, injuring a man and his son, according to previous Statesman reporting.
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Ghazwan Kareem attended the rally on crutches after injuring his calf while playing soccer Friday night.
Verb
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Another strike Saturday targeted a group of people in the sprawling tent camp of Muwasi in southern Gaza, killing one and wounding eight others, according to Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken.
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Another strike on Saturday targeted a group of people in the sprawling tent camp of Muwasi in southern Gaza, killing one and wounding eight others, according to Nasser hospital, where the casualties were taken.
Adjective
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According to 24/7 Wall Street, the $60 billion all-stock AI company Anysphere acquisition, a $20 billon debt offering, and the future end of the lockup have been particularly detrimental to the maintenance of the share prices.
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There’s also the thought that onboarding a starting catcher midseason can be detrimental to a pitching staff, something that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has expressed in the past.
Verb
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Lined with live oaks and old-fashioned, busy storefronts, this artsy town on the Gulf of Mexico has no commercial development marring its shoreline.
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In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.
Verb
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Sometimes judges don’t have a full picture of the risks a victim faces, like an abuser’s access to weapons and prior threats to kill, and release men arrested on domestic violence charges quickly, with little to keep them away from the women they’re accused of hurting.
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Businesses will pay more for space, residential renters will feel it through higher rents, and visitors at our hotels, B&Bs and Airbnbs will pay more, too, hurting tourism statewide.
Adjective
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Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
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Sometimes, the streets appear glittering; other times, seedy and dangerous.
Verb
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Since becoming mayor, though, Mamdani has piped down publicly on his calls for the freeze in order to avoid the appearance of compromising the board’s independence.
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Devaluing democracy in the name of security and compromising rights or freedoms to ensure order and control are bad options.
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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