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.
Hypothesizing a possible explanation for the link between higher sugar substitute intake and accelerated cognitive decline, the researchers posited that sugar substitutes might produce toxic metabolites during digestion, which, in turn, have a damaging effect. Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Feb. 2026 The spray also features Oribe’s Signature Complex, a brand hallmark that includes watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower to defend hair from drying and damaging oxidative stress. Michelle Rostamian, Allure, 27 Feb. 2026 Studies show glyphosate exposure may disturb honey bees, harming their ability to forage food, and that the weed killer could have damaging effects on plants, birds and mammals, according to the EPA. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026 Perhaps the most damaging self-sabotage is Connecticut’s mandate on operating hours. Rino Ferrarese, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026 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 4 Mar. 2026.

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