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

Still, there are good reasons Trump may be holding back, not least to avoid opening a potentially painful second front, just seven months after launching his damaging and ongoing conflict with Iran. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Experts warn that massive constellations could be incredibly ecologically damaging, releasing copious amounts of atmospheric pollution and risking damage to the ozone layer. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

The Yindjibarndi have accused Fortescue of exploiting their land and damaging cultural sites. — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Countries have already used the quickest and least economically damaging tools available to stabilize oil and gas prices. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above