damage 1 of 2

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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
The two behaviors both damage communication and trust. Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly can cause damage, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback to trees, crops, vines and other plants. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Verb
Home remedies also are not absorbed and translocated throughout the plant to kill the roots, so these methods may damage the foliage but don’t destroy the roots. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 13 July 2025 The fire also damaged key infrastructure, including a water treatment plant, causing chemical hazards, the Inciweb report shows. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damage
Noun
  • The state’s compliance designation, however, does not negate the harm that Orange County Global has already caused for patients or the previous problems with its health care delivery practices, Siemers said.
    Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
  • Maryland’s jury system exists to carefully examine facts, assess harm and render just verdicts.
    Bruce M. Plaxen, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Disrupting a flight or interfering with crew members and attendants can lead to serious consequences, including steep fines and potential jail time.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 July 2025
  • Failure to comply with the law could be punished by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Reporting thresholds for Form 1099-K (for payment card and third-party network transactions), Form 1099-MISC (for payments not covered by other 1099 forms), and Form 1099-NEC (for nonemployee compensation) have been changed.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • With great profits came job security, prestige and hefty compensation packages, driving glamorization of STEM fields to students and early-career professionals.
    Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Shriners Hospitals for Children have also alleviated the financial burden on the Petersons by covering the costs of Hadley's medical procedures, some of which would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars.
    Analisa Novak, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Firms that make or sell copper items are about to see a big increase in their costs, as are many other businesses that import components or finished goods.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Three people were injured after being struck by lightning in a popular summer beach getaway town on Saturday night.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
  • Thirty-nine members of the battalion were killed in October, 1917, and a hundred and thirty-five were injured.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • In another tense and sleepless night for Kyiv residents, with many of them dashing in the dark with children, pets and blankets to the protection of subway stations, at least 22 people were wounded, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Regional Administration.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • One person was killed and two others were wounded when the gunman, Thomas Crooks, opened fire.
    Isabel van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • However, the East is drastically weakened as a result of injuries to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • In 2001, the Ig Nobel Prize in medicine went to Peter Barss of McGill University in Canada for his 1984 survey of injuries due to falling coconuts in Papua New Guinea.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • If not, the Cowboys have the right to issue a penalty.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • For all her obvious abilities between the sticks, there is also the conviction to step up and take a penalty herself.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damage. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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