as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the damaging effects of the sun on unprotected skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of damaging
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
30 June 2026
White blood cells and inflammatory proteins were flooding into her backbone, damaging nerve fibers that carry electrical signals between brain and body.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
Research shows that such bodily scrutiny is already damaging transgender youth and that bodily shame can significantly affect young people’s mental health, leading to disordered eating and other physical and psychological harm.
—
Megan Gandy,
The Conversation,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Adjective
That was huge, because Mary has had the realization that what was supposed to be a nurturing maternal force in her life had a damaging impact on her.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
30 June 2026
White blood cells and inflammatory proteins were flooding into her backbone, damaging nerve fibers that carry electrical signals between brain and body.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Verb
However, the need for thorough cleaning must be balanced against the risk of damaging the actual bones.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
Research shows that such bodily scrutiny is already damaging transgender youth and that bodily shame can significantly affect young people’s mental health, leading to disordered eating and other physical and psychological harm.
—
Megan Gandy,
The Conversation,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for damaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damaging
Adjective
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The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel.
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At the same time, its flowers attract beneficial predatory insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, that naturally hunt harmful garden pests.
Verb
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On Sunday, Russia bombarded Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv with dozens of missiles and hundreds of strike drones, killing at least 11 and injuring scores more, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and media reports.
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The overnight attack comes just days after Russia launched a deadly assault on Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 80.
Verb
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In Brooklyn, New York’s Coney Island neighborhood, a man in a black ski mask opened fire on a family barbecue late Saturday night, wounding at least eight people, including four children.
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Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, were found guilty by a jury last month of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Adjective
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And beneath the surface of those turquoise waters, marine life continues on without knowing their life is colliding in detrimental-to-them ways.
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Substance abuse is greatly detrimental in its own right, of course, but sometimes the issues that stem from it—stress, emotional exhaustion, secrecy, avoidance—can have similarly devastating long-term effects on a person’s wellbeing.
Verb
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Lined with live oaks and old-fashioned, busy storefronts, this artsy town on the Gulf of Mexico has no commercial development marring its shoreline.
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In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.
Verb
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Paul’s words have proven prescient during the first few days of Wimbledon, where players losing their footing and either hurting themselves or not is as perennial as the strawberries and cream.
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Running Footwear Sector Paces Up Indeed, many major footwear brands have spent recent years clearing excess inventory through heavy discounting, hurting margins and diluting brand equity.
Adjective
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Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
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Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
Verb
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Paired with the Arach&Cloz Crewneck Sweater and Cushionaire Weston Flats, this outfit has an air of sophistication without compromising its cool, casual comfort.
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Even professionals in their prime walked away rather than risk compromising their brains.
Cite this Entry
“Damaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damaging. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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