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
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 damaging
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Severe weather season has been off to a very active start in Illinois, with everything from flooding, hail, and damaging winds, and the most tornadoes of any state in the nation so far.
—Kylee Miller, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2023, a 22-year-old German tourist was accused of damaging the same statue after climbing on it while two of his friends took pictures of him.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
That scale of cut risks permanently damaging institutions that support tourism, local employment and community identity.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Severe weather season has been off to a very active start in Illinois, with everything from flooding, hail, and damaging winds, and the most tornadoes of any state in the nation so far.
—Kylee Miller, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
If your hair is getting snagged while using the brush or seems to be damaging your hair, it should also be replaced.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2023, a 22-year-old German tourist was accused of damaging the same statue after climbing on it while two of his friends took pictures of him.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
-
Regulation remains uneven, education is inconsistent, and the line between a manageable high and a harmful one isn’t always clear, especially for younger or inexperienced users.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The rollbacks included minimum wage requirements for home healthcare workers and people with disabilities, and rules governing exposure to harmful substances and safety procedures at mines.—
Seung Min Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Returning Wednesday against the Twins would mean Soto missed 15 games after injuring his right calf while running the bases on April 3 in San Francisco.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In the 1990s, the city of Carrollton came under scrutiny after killing and injuring birds in a rookery.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During Thursday's attacks, the Conservatory's student accommodation was hit by a Russian drone, wounding five, officials said.—
Flora Bigham,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Harwood was struck three times, and Morisson was struck once, mortally wounding both.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Though a breezy effortlessness around tasks might be appealing in the short term, the lack of friction can be detrimental in the long run.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Any action on either side to blockade this chain would prove detrimental to both naval and commercial traffic in the region.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ancient lava fields can be seen as dark lunar maria marring the silvery lunar surface, which themselves are threaded with bright streaks of reflective debris strewn across the surface by violent asteroid strikes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With less threat of high inflation hurting the economy, a sustained drop in oil prices could convince the Federal Reserve to resume its cuts to interest rates to help the economy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
My head was hurting really bad.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Police on Friday closed Kensington Gardens, a central London park visited by thousands of tourists and local residents every day, after a group that Israel has linked to Iran posted a video claiming Israel’s nearby London embassy was going to be attacked with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Portage police added that while some students play the game safely using brightly colored water guns, others have created dangerous situations that can trigger panic.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Days after returning from the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix on March 31, Vrabel was contacted by the New York Post seeking comment on the fact the paper was in possession of seemingly compromising photos of the coach and Russini, who worked for The Athletic at the time as an NFL reporter.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Enjoy easy-release, mess-free cooking without compromising on health.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
