as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of damning
Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Perhaps that’s by design, and Byun is bending his own form towards a damning commentary on universal self-interest — even in the face of a crisis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Two rushing touchdowns were surrendered but just as damning was a 15-yard scramble by Mayfield for a third-and-14 conversion, two plays before his 45-yard touchdown throw.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Adjective
Matty wants Olympia to turn against Julian, who has had multiple opportunities himself over the years to come clean about burying the damning Wellbrexa study.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Perhaps that’s by design, and Byun is bending his own form towards a damning commentary on universal self-interest — even in the face of a crisis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
There's nothing inherently damning about money chasing hyper-aggressive stocks in a bull market just turning three years old with many core fundamental themes appearing well-exploited.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Two rushing touchdowns were surrendered but just as damning was a 15-yard scramble by Mayfield for a third-and-14 conversion, two plays before his 45-yard touchdown throw.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 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
-
Then Sweet William came on the line cursing and threatening in a low, creepy voice.—
Robbie Robertson,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Porter was seen as the second strongest Democrat, but has recently faced backlash over a viral video showing her berating and cursing at a staffer, and another clip of her angrily leaving an interview when pressed by a journalist.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 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
-
However, the jury declined to give Smith the death penalty — instead sentencing her to life in prison.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
Liverpool were competitive in the first half, and perhaps unfortunate to see Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser ruled out for interference from an offside position, but City pressed home their advantage through the brilliance of left-winger Jeremy Doku.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The story takes place at a grand country house where the guests have an unfortunate habit of dying, or nearly dying, under seemingly unrelated circumstances.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Golfers can stop blaming bad luck for those maddening near-misses.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Trump is just straight-up doling out untruths – and blaming Biden.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) promptly put out a statement later that week condemning Indonesia's treatment of the team.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
By appointing a man who was deeply unpopular with fans by the end of his reign so recently, though, Wolves would have been condemning him and his players to working in a poisonous environment from day one.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet a drumbeat of Mamdani’s past statements about Israel did not prove politically fatal in New York City in 2025.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The special explores theories about why the thieves targeted specific displays, who orchestrated this brazen operation and which fatal flaws in their plan ultimately led to their capture.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Damning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damning. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share