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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of damning
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Murder and conspiracy and the threat of mass casualties is usually my cup of tea, but some critics are calling this one a bit boring, which is quite damning if true.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
These tapes — now in the hands of authorities and partially leaked—are damning.
—Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
There is no question the trial painted a damning portrait of Combs, the hip-hop star who built a massive music, fashion and lifestyle empire and mingled with the elites of American society and power.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Adjective
That, to me, is the most damning evidence against Todd.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Murder and conspiracy and the threat of mass casualties is usually my cup of tea, but some critics are calling this one a bit boring, which is quite damning if true.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
These tapes — now in the hands of authorities and partially leaked—are damning.
—Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
There is no question the trial painted a damning portrait of Combs, the hip-hop star who built a massive music, fashion and lifestyle empire and mingled with the elites of American society and power.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damning
Adjective
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And yes, it must also be said that domestic and feral cats have been disastrous to the world's biodiversity, having contributed to the extinction of 40 bird and 21 mammal species – 26% of the extinctions in these groups – since the 1600s.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 July 2025
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Hunt was the site of particularly disastrous flooding early in the morning on July 4, with officials saying the river swelled more than 20 feet in less than an hour and ultimately killed at least 103 people countywide, including dozens of children at a riverside summer camp called Camp Mystic.—
July 13,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
Verb
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No more dragging the reindeer down from the attic, cursing as hooves knock you on the noggin, a new piece missing each year.—
Zach Przystup,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Dec. 2024
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After listing off three notable cellmates who passed through — one who howled at the moon; one who talked to the wall; and one who'd strike her own head while cursing to herself — Blanchard describes yet another who trumped them all.—
Janine Rubenstein,
People.com,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Immigration advocates will host a press conference denouncing the partnership.—
Verónica Egui Brito and,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
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Student activists are denouncing Khalil's arrest as an attempt to use deportation to stifle free speech.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cell phones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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Fortunately for him, that gaffe will be a little easier to live down than Teal and Weinberg’s unfortunate comments.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The statement sparked outrage with GOP lawmakers, who slammed Allstate for not explicitly condemning terrorism.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2025
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Back at the office, Helly receives news of her resignation request - her outie denied it, condemning her to a lifetime of work.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Priya allegedly injected her business partner with a fatal overdose of sedatives, Joseph said.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
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Most of Red’s acquaintances are drug-addicted and on the edge of a fatal overdose; Red is essentially alone in his efforts to save himself, except for Gulbransen, who is part doctor, part social worker, part father figure, part friend.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Finally, Assad’s fall has fueled domestic discontent among loyalists to the regime in Tehran, with some calling the loss a strategic blunder and openly criticizing the government on state television.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
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Shiney-Ajay said Harris should have spent additional time criticizing lawmakers—like Manchin and Congressional Republicans—who limited the administration's climate goals, using it as a chance to emphasize her intent to seek greater climate victories in the future.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Damning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damning. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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