Synonyms for

Damaging

Verb / ˈdæmɪdʒɪŋ / Another word for damaging — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Causing harm or injury to someone or something.

Synonyms & similar words

negative prejudicious detrimental prejudicial damage harmful destructive injurious detrimental hazardous dangerous pernicious deleterious noxious toxic poisonous corrosive erosive wear-and-tear deteriorating degrading debilitating weakening undermining sabotaging

Synonyms by register

Formal

detrimental deleterious pernicious prejudicial

Informal

harmful ruinous wrecking bad

Literary

baleful baneful noxious

Antonyms

beneficial helpful constructive harmless advantageous healing positive

Common collocations

  • damaging effects
  • damaging impact
  • damaging consequences
  • damaging evidence
  • damaging blow
  • damaging criticism
  • damaging to health

Word family

noun damage
verb damage
adjective damaging
adverb damagingly

Usage note

This word often implies a negative effect that weakens or harms something. It is commonly used to describe physical, emotional, or reputational harm.

Example sentences

  1. The car accident was very damaging.
  2. The storm caused damaging winds.
  3. The fire was very damaging to the house.
  4. The earthquake was very damaging to the city.
  5. The flood was very damaging to the crops.

Quotes

  • Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. - Rudyard Kipling
  • I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. - Jimmy Dean
  • The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Nelson Mandela

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