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
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite its longtime storage in the salt mine, which helps to protect film from the damaging effects of moisture, making the footage screen-worthy presented enormous technological and financial hurdles.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Further research on how to stop T cells from damaging the heart could provide a way to stop heart failure from worsening and save the lives of millions of patients.
—Shyam Bansal, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
The entire imbroglio proved hugely damaging, not only to Boohoo but also the Leicester garment industry, which was already struggling to cope with the manufacturing shift overseas before the fear of being tainted by scandal led its remaining buyers to flee en masse.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite its longtime storage in the salt mine, which helps to protect film from the damaging effects of moisture, making the footage screen-worthy presented enormous technological and financial hurdles.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Vinegar is an acid, which dissolves the mineral deposits left behind by hard water, making the stains easier to wipe away without damaging the refrigerator’s surface, says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO at AspenClean.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Further research on how to stop T cells from damaging the heart could provide a way to stop heart failure from worsening and save the lives of millions of patients.
—Shyam Bansal, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
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In order to rule in her favor, jurors will have to parse the harmful actions of fellow users — including her high school bullies and adult men sending her unsolicited nudes — from design decisions made by the companies themselves.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Many of these jars contain unknown or poorly documented chemical mixtures that could be toxic to humans or harmful to the specimens themselves if disturbed.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While traveling through Dayton, Texas, a truck struck the monks’ escort vehicle, injuring several people, according to local media reports previously cited by Reuters.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Johnson had to withdraw from Beijing one month before the Games after injuring her knee.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last week, a drone strike hit close to a WFP facility in the Blue Nile province, wounding a WFP worker, Brown said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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Last week, a drone strike hit close to a WFP facility in the Blue Nile province, wounding a WFP worker, Brown also said.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Without a doubt, the MAGA approach to immigration has resulted in detrimental effects to how the Constitution works in our system of justice.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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The opposite, overwatering, is also detrimental because the seeds may rot.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That said, a season-ending injury to Zach Charbonnet leaves the Seahawks with only one dangerous runner, and Kenneth Walker is more adept at hurting defenses inside than on the edges, where the Patriots are weakest.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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Cornyn is in a heated primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton; both parties think a Paxton win would make the seat far more competitive, hurting the party nationally.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Without reliably cold temperatures, snow is wetter and thinner, conditions are rainier — and for athletes that can be dangerous.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Luge is the most dangerous of the three sliding sports (bobsled and skeleton are the others) — ironic because athletes in that event actually have the most control.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Other states have done so without compromising food safety.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
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The surgeon performing this type of rhinoplasty must carefully reshape the nasal structure without compromising strength or function.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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