as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cursing
to use profane or obscene language at or about
damned the car for once again breaking down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denouncing
to declare to be morally wrong or evil
a heresy that was quickly damned by a hastily called church council
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentencing
to impose a judicial punishment on
damned him to life in prison without the possibility of parole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of damning
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2025
Can't believe that after 10 years of us basing our most damning investigations on cell phone data, these idiots are still doing it.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
With Blonde, premiering this week in the Tokyo International Film Festival’s main competition, rising 38-year-old director Yuichiro Sakashita delivers a sharp, quietly damning satire of conformity in Japan’s education system.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Adjective
That seems a somewhat damning assessment of Claude’s current abilities.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2025
Can't believe that after 10 years of us basing our most damning investigations on cell phone data, these idiots are still doing it.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
In contrast to the focus on glitzy, eye-catching purchases, the damning report notes astonishing delays to work on the Louvre’s security infrastructure.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
With Blonde, premiering this week in the Tokyo International Film Festival’s main competition, rising 38-year-old director Yuichiro Sakashita delivers a sharp, quietly damning satire of conformity in Japan’s education system.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damning
Adjective
-
The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just tied them all together in about a five-minute reel of me cursing a blue streak.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Pray for your enemies instead of cursing them.—
Paul Prather,
Arkansas Online,
15 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But in a shocker move in September 1983, Joe Strummer kicked guitarist Mick Jones out of the band, denouncing his former mate as a rock-star sellout.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Voters also believe that tariffs are exacerbating the situation, but few Republicans are denouncing them or calling for policy changes.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, the jury declined to give Smith the death penalty — instead sentencing her to life in prison.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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Mark Stoner stepped down as judge in 2024 Stoner was the same judge who drew the ire of Indianapolis' police union in 2024 for sentencing police officer Breann Leath's killer to 25 years in prison rather than 63 requested by prosecutors.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Their late concession of the winning penalty to Morgan Gibbs-White, above, was unfortunate.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Many unfortunate events were blamed on poison—the unexpected death of an enslaver or a slave, a spate of local deaths due to a virus or other disease, or problems on the plantation such as ill livestock or bad harvests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The next day, in an email, Wynn appears to explain, blaming a dollar figure for teachers’ benefits that was mistakenly counted twice.—
Jennifer Palmer,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Jan. 2026
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Discussions about the strike and closure online often turn ugly and devolve into blaming one side or the other.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After condemning political violence in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, Tisdale defended what many online considered to be a tribute to the conservative activist.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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On Thursday, though, Staios released an explosive statement condemning those who continue to spread stories or add to the spiraling rumor mill.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Several hundred protesters gathered at First Ward Park on Thursday night in response to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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John Mulaney has postponed three upcoming shows in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.—
Amy McCarthy,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Damning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damning. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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