damage 1 of 2

Definition of damagenext
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as in fine
damages plural a sum of money to be paid as a punishment ordered by the court to pay $1000 in damages

Synonyms & Similar Words

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damage

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word damage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of damage are harm, hurt, impair, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When can harm be used instead of damage?

Although the words harm and damage have much in common, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

Where would hurt be a reasonable alternative to damage?

In some situations, the words hurt and damage are roughly equivalent. However, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When might impair be a better fit than damage?

The words impair and damage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

When could injure be used to replace damage?

While the synonyms injure and damage are close in meaning, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

In what contexts can mar take the place of damage?

The words mar and damage can be used in similar contexts, but mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of damage
Noun
Removing shoes at the door is especially helpful to prevent damage from high heels and cleats. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 But White House officials have privately grown frustrated with her performance, as Republican midterm strategists raise alarms about the political damage. Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
The barn was heavily damaged from the fire. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026 Meanwhile, falling debris from Russian drones damaged civilian and transport infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region, officials said, causing disruption to the power and water supply. Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damage
Noun
  • The conviction last week closes a case that dates to December, when Hernandez was found guilty of two counts of child abuse likely to produce great bodily harm or death.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Experiences of affirmation too Speaking to multiple generations of students provides unique insight into the ways in which Black students continue to experience racial harm and trauma in Philly public schools.
    Leana Cabral, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Under pressure from governments, including threats of bans and fines, X restricted Grok’s ability to generate certain explicit images last month.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Now, one town in the region is looking to maintain its enduring beauty — and its global allure — by proposing a fine on locals who leave out their trash cans too long.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Despite being eligible for compensation, full financial recovery hinges on having evidence that validates losses and the ability to negotiate with corporate insurers.
    Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • As compensation, National League officials awarded Brush the right to purchase the next franchise that became available.
    Libby Cierzniak, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • During warmer months, when the path is crowded with tourists in leisure mode, anyone who walks with a purpose should avoid the Bridge at all costs.
    Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • For electricity, that means expanding dispatchable generation, especially natural gas, strengthening the grid, streamlining permitting, and ensuring reliability is prioritized over mandates that raise costs or weaken supply.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In December, another snowmobiler was badly injured in an avalanche at Latopie Lake in Mono County, and was airlifted for emergency services in Reno.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The three people injured were grandparents Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend Thomas Geruso, Goncalves said.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • And police officers, even those who had been wounded in the Pratt shooting, were now facing vitriol from the same people who had lauded them a year earlier for their sacrifice and service.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Two other people were wounded, including another police officer involved in the search for Thompson.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This, after playing through that ankle injury — and a broken finger, and torn rib cartilage — to win World Series MVP honors in 2024.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The six were rescued from the remote backcountry hours later, and two had injuries that were not life-threatening.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • But with the puck sitting just outside the crease on the Eichel chance, the Germans were forced to take a penalty.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damage. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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