damaging

1 of 2

adjective

dam·​ag·​ing ˈda-mi-jiŋ 

: causing or able to cause damage : injurious

has a damaging effect on wildlife

damagingly

ˈda-mi-jiŋ-lē 

adverb

damaging

2 of 2

present participle of damage entry 2

Synonyms of damaging

Adjective

• harmful
• detrimental
• dangerous
• adverse

Examples of damaging in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

As storms move east and merge into a line, damaging winds may become a greater concern. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026

Large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes possible Storms are already developing across central Oklahoma, and additional activity could extend south toward our northwestern counties. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

And now that the president is unable to find support for his damaging policies on their merits, the administration is focused on rigging the rules to keep power and avoid accountability. — Dylan Behler, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2026

For Democrats, however, the endorsement was particularly damaging because Michigan is central to their hopes of reclaiming the Senate. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above