as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the damaging effects of the sun on unprotected skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in injuring
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the explosion in the sewers damaged the entire city's water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wounding
to cause bodily damage to
his knee was badly damaged in the accident, and he walked with a limp for months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of damaging
Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026
But while scientists are warning that this could have incredibly damaging consequences for the natural world and the livelihoods of the people who rely on it, there are many who argue melting sea ice could also unlock a huge economic opportunity in terms of mining and shipping.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
One person was taken into custody after a fire ripped through a synagogue in Mississippi, heavily damaging the historic house of worship in what authorities say was an act of arson.
—Charlotte Kramon, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
Ice accumulations of a quarter inch or more are usually considered significant and possibly damaging.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026
But while scientists are warning that this could have incredibly damaging consequences for the natural world and the livelihoods of the people who rely on it, there are many who argue melting sea ice could also unlock a huge economic opportunity in terms of mining and shipping.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
In addition, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan see hazards for damaging ice accumulation onto vessels and large waves.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
One person was taken into custody after a fire ripped through a synagogue in Mississippi, heavily damaging the historic house of worship in what authorities say was an act of arson.
—Charlotte Kramon, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
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Some harmful varieties closely resemble edible mushrooms, even to experienced foragers.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
On each phone, the lock screen image was a photo of a child who died young due to the harmful effects of social media.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Córdoba, Spain — A commuter passenger train derailed in Gelida, near the Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday, killing the driver and injuring 37 people, a spokesperson for the regional government of Catalonia told CNN.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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The e-bike collided with the car, and the driver, who police said was startled by the collision, accelerated across the street, killing Ayden and injuring a 6-year-old girl, both of whom were with their family in front of the restaurant.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The suspect, charged with murder and other crimes, allegedly shot at four people in separate vehicles in Prince George’s County, killing one and wounding two.—
Jasmine Golden,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Faceworld members opened fire, killing Jordan and wounding another woman.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rising Black unemployment will be detrimental.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
-
This could be detrimental to someone’s health.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Not forcing her to go means hurting the other girl, forcing her to go means teaching your daughter that her own comfort should be subjugated to make someone else happy.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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These are the most casual of gestures, not comparable to relatives hurting a child.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Placing your carbon monoxide detector in the proper location can alert you to dangerous levels of the invisible gas, which is unfortunately more likely to occur with the use of personal space heaters.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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The Charlotte region faces a harsh night on Thursday, including dangerous wind chills, according to the National Weather Service.—
Mark Price
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By compromising a relatively small percentage of these inverters, my colleagues and I found that an attacker could manipulate their power output to cause severe instabilities across the distribution network.—
Saman Zonouz,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
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Putu Pointed Toe Boots Tall boots are one of the shoe stars of the season, and the princess’s knee-highs are designed to protect your shins from the elements without compromising style.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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