damaging 1 of 2

adjective

ˈda-mi-jiŋ How to pronounce damaging (audio)
Definition of damagingnext
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm the damaging effects of the sun on unprotected skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

damaging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of damage
1
as in injuring
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the explosion in the sewers damaged the entire city's water supply

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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
Adjective
More than 390,000 customers were without power in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana as severe thunderstorms with damaging winds tracked across the region. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 27 July 2026 However, we are disturbed by a misleading and damaging narrative regarding student outcomes that persists in this coverage. — Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Verb
Ukraine’s drone attacks on vessels and energy infrastructure in the Caspian at the weekend are a demonstration of its growing long-range capabilities and its goal of damaging the industries that support Russia’s war effort. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 27 July 2026 The biggest concerns are damaging wind gusts and large hail, though a few tornadoes are also possible. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
  1. harmful
  2. injuring
  3. wounding
  4. detrimental
  5. marring
  6. hurting
  7. dangerous
  8. compromising
Adjective
  • The Australian watchdog's claim, filed to the federal court Wednesday, said the unlimited broadcast size of Telegram channels meant the app must take responsibility for culling harmful material.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • During the 2015-16 season, for instance, Dungeness crabs off the coast of California were infected by a harmful algal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia, which causes domoic acid poisoning in crabs, fish, birds and marine mammals.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of harmful
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military reportedly struck an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing one sailor and injuring another.
    — Mike Sheen,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 27 July 2026
  • Iran countered that one of its commercial vessels carrying a cargo of iron had been struck, killing one seafarer and injuring three others.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of injuring
Verb
  • Peshawar, PakistanAP — A suicide bomber targeted protesters at an antimilitant rally in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, killing at least 14 people, mostly civilians and police officers, and wounding more than two dozen others, officials said.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Police are searching for the gunman who opened fire inside a Walmart in Delaware County on Friday night, wounding an employee and sending shoppers scrambling for safety.
    — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of wounding
Adjective
  • Those children were held in custody for an average of 194 days before being released to sponsors, which lawyers who represent the children say is unusually long and has been detrimental to the health and safety of the children.
    — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Much has been made of the detrimental effects of the rise in the minimum wage and an increase in employers’ national insurance costs (effectively a tax on employment) introduced by former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.
    — Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of detrimental
Verb
  • To prevent a similar war from happening again, Menelaus scarred her face, permanently marring her famous beauty.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of marring
Verb
  • Responsible leaders set boundaries so teammates can fail without hurting themselves or the business too much.
    — Martina Seferovic, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Ahead, a physical therapist and gardening expert share several effective ways to remove weeds without hurting your back.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026
Definition of hurting
Adjective
  • Despite Penta's aggressive offense and dangerous maneuvers, Gable persevered, ultimately making Penta submit with a decisive ankle lock, securing a triumphant and emotional victory.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Three wildfires are burning in Spokane County, Washington, and thousands of families have been ordered to flee their homes overnight, as state officials warn of an incredibly dangerous situation and brace for what daylight may reveal.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • Mythos 5 notably uploaded a malicious Python package to PyPI, compromising 15 machines.
    — Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • To give your floors a big dose of interest without compromising your or your guests’ equilibrium, the designer suggests using a herringbone layout.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2026
Definition of compromising

Browse Nearby Words

damages
damaging
dame
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Cite this Entry

“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of damaging for Spanish Speakers

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