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.
The Edward Jones study also shows how damaging that practice can be. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 June 2026 The biggest threats will be hail larger than a golf ball and damaging winds, according to the weather service. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 June 2026 Storms hit the New York City area on Saturday, bringing damaging winds, hail and downpours across the region. Mark Prussin, CBS News, 6 June 2026 However, reports of unidentified larvae from the Prionus beetle genus feeding on and damaging blueberry bush roots go back to 2010. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 June 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 13 Jun. 2026.

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