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.
In season three, damaging revelations and allegations threaten its future. Peter White, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025 In a potentially damaging first, one of the conversations released Wednesday name-checked Zelensky himself. Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025 Bullying can be physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, and tripping, as well as name-calling and teasing, spreading rumors, leaving others out of the group, and damaging victims’ property, according to the CDC. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025 Expired Sunscreens Applying expired sunscreen can have damaging effects. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 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 25 Nov. 2025.

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