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
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Recent Examples of damaging
Tammie Souza, CBS News, 18 June 2026
That storm system will bring damaging winds, lightning and heavy rain, but is expected to be less severe than weather later in the night.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 18 June 2026
Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
They were convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God), corruption on earth, damaging public and private property and crimes against national security.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
The risk of any widespread severe storms has been lowered, but any storm that does develop could briefly turn severe with damaging winds.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 18 June 2026
That storm system will bring damaging winds, lightning and heavy rain, but is expected to be less severe than weather later in the night.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 18 June 2026
Verb
This harmful smog severely impacts human health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, while also damaging crops and ecosystems.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
They were convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God), corruption on earth, damaging public and private property and crimes against national security.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
-
But others say research in Australia has shown that age verification is difficult to enforce, and that a blanket ban seemed to be a snap decision that does not address a deeper problem — the way social media algorithms push harmful content to young people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
There were also die-offs of seals, sea lions and marine birds, Leising said, probably from a combination of a lack of food and harmful algal blooms, and less food out there for baleen whales.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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History shows democratic societies periodically require moral correction when economic systems begin injuring people faster than institutions can protect them.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
Daniella and Castro admitted to injuring a corporal officer by dislocating his shoulder, per the outlet.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Sudanese paramilitary forces carried out drone strikes overnight in central Sudan, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens, health officials said Thursday, as the use of unmanned aircraft becomes increasingly common in the more than three-year war in the African country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
Federal prosecutors allege Gresham opened fire on a MARTA train at the Midtown Station on June 5, wounding a teenager before fleeing the scene.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Conferences have membership contracts, revenue leverage, championship access and conduct-detrimental authority.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
The reason is because time confetti can be detrimental to your mental health, physical health, as well as your relationship with your children.—
Parents,
Parents,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Lined with live oaks and old-fashioned, busy storefronts, this artsy town on the Gulf of Mexico has no commercial development marring its shoreline.—
Valerie Fraser Luesse,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Stanton, plagued by a long list of lower-body injuries since joining the Yankees, hasn’t played since hurting his calf in Houston on April 24.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
-
Together, the friends weave intricate webs of multi-player strategy just to avoid hurting someone else’s feelings.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
That is exactly why these fake job offers are so dangerous.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Over the last week, the greatest threat of dangerous rip currents and sneaker waves has been on the beaches facing south or southwest, officials said.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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To that end, members of Forbes Human Resources Council share their strategies for using AI to keep projects moving during peak vacation months without compromising employee well-being.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Part of that process involved Quenda embarking on a rigorous programme of nutrition and muscle development aimed at better equipping him to handle the greater degree of physicality in Premier League football without compromising his speed or agility.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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