as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of damning
Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the most damning claims concern Gavin Newsom’s ties to China, which began during his mayoral tenure.
—Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Erika is forced to confront Tom’s damning conviction and also reveals how this saga has impacted her relationship with her son.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
And keep in mind that lying in church seems a particularly damning idea.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Adjective
That such tactics have proven successful in forcing major law firms to acquiesce to the president is as damning as the extortion itself.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the most damning claims concern Gavin Newsom’s ties to China, which began during his mayoral tenure.
—Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Erika is forced to confront Tom’s damning conviction and also reveals how this saga has impacted her relationship with her son.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
And keep in mind that lying in church seems a particularly damning idea.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damning
Adjective
-
Or, even more recently, the disastrous April 8 update to protect against the CVE-2025-21204 vulnerability that installed a mysterious folder, and got everyone’s collective conspiracy theory panties in a bunch.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Democrats have been grappling with their own version of that resolution, especially ever since the disastrous defeat of their party’s presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, in November.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Immigration advocates will host a press conference denouncing the partnership.—
Verónica Egui Brito and,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Student activists are denouncing Khalil's arrest as an attempt to use deportation to stifle free speech.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Such a difficult call really spotlighted for the first time how tough a situation he has been left in by Eddie Howe’s unfortunate absence (due to pneumonia).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The statement sparked outrage with GOP lawmakers, who slammed Allstate for not explicitly condemning terrorism.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
Across all suicide attempts not involving a firearm, only 4% result in death; but for firearm suicide, approximately 90% of attempts are fatal.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
How Many Aviation Crashes Were There in 2024? NTSB data shows that throughout 2024, there were 1,199 aviation incidents and accidents, 180 of which were fatal.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share