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.
The Baltimore area is under a flood watch, as thunderstorms and damaging winds are possible Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2025 Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025 Eastern Iowa was hit particularly hard by damaging winds and flash flooding. Dan Peck, ABC News, 12 July 2025 Heat and humidity continue in Kansas City Thursday, before storms could threaten the area with damaging winds and hail ahead of the weekend. Kansas City Star, 10 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.

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