Damaging
'dæmɪdʒɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsCausing or capable of causing harm or injury.
'dæmɪdʒɪŋ
Causing harm or injury.
The scandal had a damaging effect on his reputation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you accidentally break your friend's favorite toy. That would be damaging because it's making something worse. If something damages something, it is making it broken or hurt.
👶 For kids: Making something bad or broken.
More Examples
The flood caused significant damaging to the infrastructure.
The report provided damaging evidence against the company.
How It's Used
"The storm caused significant damage to the coastal areas."
"The company was found liable for damaging the environment."
Inflicting damage; in the act of causing harm.
'dæmɪdʒɪŋ
The act of causing harm or injury
The flood is damaging the coastal communities.
💡 Simply: Damaging means to making something broken or less good by making it be broken. Think about scratching the car or breaking your glasses.
👶 For kids: Is making something get broken or hurt.
More Examples
The virus is damaging the respiratory system.
The rumors are damaging his career prospects.
How It's Used
"The hurricane is damaging property"
"The factory is damaging the environment."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
damage control
Actions taken to limit the negative consequences of a situation.
"After the scandal broke, the company initiated damage control to protect its reputation."
From Middle English *damagen*, from Old French *damagier*, from Vulgar Latin **damnaticare* ('to cause damage'), from Latin *damnum* ('loss, harm').
The word 'damaging' has been used to express harm since the 16th century, evolving from the verb 'damage'. Early uses often related to physical harm, expanding to encompass metaphorical harm to reputation or well-being.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'damage' itself - something damaging can break, hurt, or reduce the value of something.
Word Origin
"loss, harm"