damaging

adjective

dam·​ag·​ing ˈda-mi-jiŋ How to pronounce damaging (audio)
Synonyms of damagingnext
: 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.
These storms are capable of producing widespread damaging winds. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025 After converting 10 of their first 12 short-yardage attempts this season, the Dolphins have been short on six damaging ones in recent weeks, with many of them using those tight bunch formations. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025 In addition to the long-duration intense rain, thunderstorms capable of strong damaging winds and isolated tornadoes will also be possible, especially with Thursday's round of rain. Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025 The Weather Service said damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines, and widespread outages were expected. Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 23 Dec. 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 30 Dec. 2025.

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