damaging

adjective

dam·​ag·​ing ˈda-mi-jiŋ How to pronounce damaging (audio)
Synonyms of damagingnext
: causing or able to cause damage : injurious
has a damaging effect on wildlife
damagingly adverb

Examples of damaging in a Sentence

the damaging effects of the sun on your skin The storm may produce damaging winds. He says he has damaging information about the candidate. The evidence was very damaging to their case.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are possible in the enhanced risk area. Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 17 May 2026 Widespread damaging winds will become the primary concern by late evening, although a few tornadoes will still be possible into the overnight hours. Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 17 May 2026 What Doesn’t Work for Night Shift Sleep Trying to power through is the most common and most damaging mistake. Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026 Michael Cox How damaging is this for Chelsea? Simon Johnson, New York Times, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for damaging

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damaging was circa 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damaging. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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