as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the damaging effects of the sun on unprotected skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in injuring
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the explosion in the sewers damaged the entire city's water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wounding
to cause bodily damage to
his knee was badly damaged in the accident, and he walked with a limp for months
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of damaging
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
As the past and present collide, the Van Laars’ wealth and influence unravel, revealing the damaging consequences of privilege and the abuse of power.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Winds are forecasted to be west to northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph, except damaging gusts up to 60 mph in the western portions of the Antelope Valley and relative humidity 10 to 20%.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
Too much water, however, can be equally damaging by leading to root rot and fungal issues.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
As the past and present collide, the Van Laars’ wealth and influence unravel, revealing the damaging consequences of privilege and the abuse of power.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Verb
The storms could be strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts being the primary hazard.
—Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Winds are forecasted to be west to northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph, except damaging gusts up to 60 mph in the western portions of the Antelope Valley and relative humidity 10 to 20%.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
-
Prosecutors maintain the search was legal because it was conducted in conjunction with an arrest and officers were following Altoona police protocols that require them to check for dangerous items that could be harmful to them or the public.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Santos is charged with distributing food with a harmful substance, according to court records obtained by the Telegram & Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … CITYWIDE RAMPAGE — Police arrest 2 juveniles allegedly linked to 12 random shootings injuring 4 people.—
,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Yusef Miller, a local activist with the Muslim community, pointed to an incident seven years ago in which a college student set fire to an Escondido mosque — a crime that remained unsolved until the youth opened fire on Chabad of Poway, killing one congregant and injuring three.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone barrages of the war, killing at least three people near Moscow and another in Belgorod and wounding a dozen more, officials said.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
The incident took place last June when officers fired at a vehicle, wounding suspect Eric Chase in the knee.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, pruning mistakes can be very detrimental, introducing shock or infection to an otherwise thriving shrub, tree, or flower.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
19 May 2026
-
And then there is the part of the leverage exercise that so many times before has proven detrimental to the Heat — the waiting game.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Ancient lava fields can be seen as dark lunar maria marring the silvery lunar surface, which themselves are threaded with bright streaks of reflective debris strewn across the surface by violent asteroid strikes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So, this clip hurting Republicans in the midterms?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
So, closed primaries, coupled with gerrymandering, your previous question, are really, really hurting our country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
But pretty quickly, Wahl said that both the mother and police realized something more dangerous could be brewing.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
Sheets touched on the other key to his success — and any dangerous hitter’s success — in the above quote.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Hethington didn’t want to cannibalize his menu with the dish, instead compromising with a jerk lamb shank, and a whole Chinese Trini chicken, an homage to the popular takeout food in Trinidad.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Discussions on the formation of a board of trade, a mechanism to boost commerce in non-sensitive areas without compromising either side’s national security, will also move forward in an effort to solidify relations.—
Lee Williamson,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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