Damning
/ˈdæmɪŋ/
Definitions
Expressing severe disapproval or criticism; conveying a strong condemnation.
/ˈdæmɪŋ/
Expressing strong disapproval or censure; severely critical.
The leaked emails contained damning information about the politician's corruption.
💡 Simply: When something is damning, it's like the ultimate 'bad news'. It strongly criticizes something or someone and makes them look very guilty or wrong, like a secret video that proves someone did something they shouldn't have.
👶 For kids: When something is damning, it means it's very bad and shows someone did something wrong.
More Examples
The damning report revealed the company's dangerous disregard for safety regulations.
The witness's testimony was a damning indictment of the defendant's actions.
How It's Used
"The damning evidence presented by the prosecution led to a guilty verdict."
"The journalist published a damning report on the company's unethical practices."
From Middle English *damnen*, from Old French *damner* (“to condemn”), from Latin *damnāre* (“to condemn, find guilty, blame”), from *damnum* (“loss, damage, harm”).
In older texts, 'damning' was often associated with religious or moral condemnation, referring to eternal punishment.
Memory tip
Think of a judge slamming their gavel and declaring someone GUILTY.