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
Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Forecasters say there is a chance severe storms with damaging winds and hail could hit the northern half of Arkansas on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
—Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
But Carey’s principal interest was how tariffs would protect the working class from the damaging tendencies of free trade.
— Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
But the uncertainty bred by the trade war is just as damaging to businesses’ bottom lines as consumers pull back their spending.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
Below are ten of the most common and damaging financial mistakes early-stage startups make.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Forecasters say there is a chance severe storms with damaging winds and hail could hit the northern half of Arkansas on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
—Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
But Carey’s principal interest was how tariffs would protect the working class from the damaging tendencies of free trade.
— Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
But the uncertainty bred by the trade war is just as damaging to businesses’ bottom lines as consumers pull back their spending.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
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Along the way, it is divulged that Saw has not been protecting himself with a gas mask from the harmful rhydonium fumes.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
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These are among the many casualties of the Trump administration's decision to level a research agency that has devoted much of its energy over the past five decades to reducing people's exposure to harmful chemicals and other dangerous conditions in the workplace.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Authorities accused an Arlington Heights man of hitting and injuring a Chicago Police officer while driving under the influence Sunday on the West side, according to a news release.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2025
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They two men are also charged with injuring another person, according to Patch.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, losing him for OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and more could be detrimental to establishing his chemistry with the offense.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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Pradeep Kumar Saxena, India’s former Indus Water Commissioner, told the Press Trust of India news agency in April that the country can stop sharing data with Pakistan after the pact’s suspension, which could be detrimental during monsoon season.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Maddison is responsible for dropping deep and pinging passes into dangerous areas, while Kulusevski and Bergvall are excellent ball-carriers.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Now, the consequences of not speaking up are far more dangerous than the consequences of speaking up.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
11 May 2025
Verb
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For example, Netflix uses it to deliver seamless streaming to millions, scaling efficiently without compromising speed.—
Jyothish R,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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Richard Mille changed the game to push watches as far into the future as possible by not compromising on production techniques and material usage.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mowing too little or too much can have adverse consequences for the health of the lawn and can also encourage unwanted plants to grow.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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Additionally, the stock is perpetually vulnerable to adverse effects from unexpected increases in commodity costs or regulatory scrutiny concerning health claims associated with functional beverages.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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However, some have raised concerns about the mass layoffs being unethical, increasing unemployment, and harming the function of key government agencies.—
Maydeen Merino,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
15 Mar. 2025
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Staff reductions of this magnitude risk prolonging processing delays and increasing wait times for taxpayer support—disproportionately harming working families who rely on prompt refunds and accessible services.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Below, a few of my favorite books about bad mothering, from the benignly neglectful to the downright evil.—
Sarah Harman,
People.com,
11 May 2025
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Aid groups say the humanitarian crisis is worse than at any time in the 19-month war.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Time,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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