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
Examples 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
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024
The conclusions of the report are measured yet damning.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
The fallout continues following the publication of a damning report.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
These videos generally only show successful attacks, which obviously colors his view, but his verdict on anti-FPV shotguns is damning.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for damning 
Adjective
That never became more evident than after a damning report of Woody Johnson’s ownership of the franchise was published by The Athletic and laid bare the issues within 1 Jets Drive in Florham Park.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024
The conclusions of the report are measured yet damning.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
The fallout continues following the publication of a damning report.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
These videos generally only show successful attacks, which obviously colors his view, but his verdict on anti-FPV shotguns is damning.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for damning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damning
Adjective
-
His opportunity to coach this team had come after the Chargers lost in disastrous fashion to the Raiders in 2023 in Las Vegas.Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
-
After this week's disastrous fires on the Westside, that will no longer be an option.Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 9 Jan. 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
-
The governor questioned the project’s future but stopped short of denouncing the possible use of eminent domain to advance the MPRP.Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024
-
Among those denouncing the deportations was Gandy Thomas, Haiti’s permanent representative of the Organization of American states, an international body that promotes democracy and defends human rights.Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Having a professional to talk to can help process and unpack unfortunate changes, and point towards new possibilities.Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Far too often over the previous three seasons, unfortunate and often unlucky things happened when Jackson threw the ball in Bateman’s direction.Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 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
-
But as Trump prepares to retake the White House Monday, Democratic leaders have highlighted other results that show November's losses are not fatal.Stephen Fowler, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
-
There were 147 people killed in Kansas City last year, according to data maintained by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 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
-
While most have become accustomed and perhaps even oblivious to McGregor’s online rants, openly criticizing a business partner is a little dicey.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near damning
Cite this Entry
“Damning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damning. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share