damaging

adjective

dam·​ag·​ing ˈda-mi-jiŋ How to pronounce damaging (audio)
: 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
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.
This makes the AirLight Pro more efficient (less heat is lost to the air), less damaging (not as much heat is needed to dry your hair), and seriously speedy. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 That's not to say damaging wind is not a threat, but the biggest thing will be hail. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 The weather services said 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts are expected as a thunderstorm capable of damaging roofs, siding and trees blows through southeastern Davidson County, northwestern Rutherford County and northeastern Williamson County. Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025 Even waiting for this to play out in the courts will be damaging and uncertain. James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025 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 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on damaging

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