damning
adjective
damn·ing ˈda-miŋ 
1
: bringing damnation
a damning sin
2
: causing or leading to condemnation or ruin
presented some damning testimony
damningly
ˈda-miŋ-lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- calamitous
- cataclysmal
- cataclysmic
- catastrophic
- destructive
- disastrous
- fatal
- fateful
- ruinous
- unfortunate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars
Recent Examples on the Web The most damning witness in the case may have been Summers himself, who recorded videos confessing to the crime that were played for jurors in court. 
Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 29 Aug. 2022 Even more damning was a lengthy public letter to Johnson issued by Jesse Norman, a Conservative M.P. and former minister who had supported the Prime Minister for fifteen years, first for the London mayoralty and then for his current post. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 7 June 2022 In this election, notoriety and national attention—Palin is arguably the most famous Alaskan since the state formed, in 1959—could be more damning than seductive. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2022 Here’s a thread of the most damning evidence against Johnny, most of which was suppressed or ignored by social media. Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2022 The most damning testimony potentially implicating Trump and others of criminal and unconstitutional activity has come from a parade of former Trump administration officials, all of them Republicans. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2022 The point Cheney keeps making at these hearings is that the people providing some of the most damning testimony are all Republicans, and most were handpicked or appointed by Trump. Arkansas Online, 29 June 2022 Some of the most damning testimony the panel has received so far has come from people who worked directly for Trump, including officials on his presidential campaign, his legal team, and the Justice Department. Luke Broadwater, BostonGlobe.com, 27 June 2022 About nobody was this apprehension greater than those who possessed, within themselves, the most damning secret of all. James Kirchick, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 See More
Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 29 Aug. 2022 Even more damning was a lengthy public letter to Johnson issued by Jesse Norman, a Conservative M.P. and former minister who had supported the Prime Minister for fifteen years, first for the London mayoralty and then for his current post. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 7 June 2022 In this election, notoriety and national attention—Palin is arguably the most famous Alaskan since the state formed, in 1959—could be more damning than seductive. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2022 Here’s a thread of the most damning evidence against Johnny, most of which was suppressed or ignored by social media. Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2022 The most damning testimony potentially implicating Trump and others of criminal and unconstitutional activity has come from a parade of former Trump administration officials, all of them Republicans. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2022 The point Cheney keeps making at these hearings is that the people providing some of the most damning testimony are all Republicans, and most were handpicked or appointed by Trump. Arkansas Online, 29 June 2022 Some of the most damning testimony the panel has received so far has come from people who worked directly for Trump, including officials on his presidential campaign, his legal team, and the Justice Department. Luke Broadwater, BostonGlobe.com, 27 June 2022 About nobody was this apprehension greater than those who possessed, within themselves, the most damning secret of all. James Kirchick, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing damning
damning 1 of 2
adjective
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune a damning flaw in the program cost the company millions of dollars Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disastrous
- unfortunate
- fatal
- catastrophic
- calamitous
- destructive
- ruinous
- fateful
- cataclysmic
- damaging
- apocalyptic
- harmful
- detrimental
- pernicious
- adverse
- prejudicial
- injurious
- hurtful
- cataclysmal
- apocalyptical
- noxious
- deleterious
- baneful
- baleful
- hapless
- evil
- luckless
- ill-fated
- ill-starred
- ill
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fortuitous
- happy
- promising
- fortunate
- lucky
- encouraging
- rosy
- providential
- optimistic
- hopeful
- bright
- heartening
- fair
- fluky
- flukey
- upbeat
- auspicious
- golden
- propitious
- rose-colored
damning
2 of 2verb
1
as in cursing
to use profane or obscene language at or about damned the car for once again breaking down Synonyms & Similar Words
- cursing
- blaming
- criticizing
- chiding
- admonishing
- imprecating
- rebuking
- reproving
- censuring
- reprimanding
- maledicting
- reproaching
- reprobating
- reprehending
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- praising
- lauding
- blessing
- magnifying
- glorifying
- commending
- applauding
- extolling
- complimenting
- hailing
- saluting
- acclaiming
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
- denouncing
- condemning
- criticizing
- blaming
- attacking
- decrying
- disparaging
- censuring
- execrating
- anathematizing
- convicting
- belittling
- faulting
- sentencing
- scolding
- reprobating
- reprehending
- chiding
- dooming
- hating
- deprecating
- upbraiding
- admonishing
- slamming
- knocking
- panning
- blacklisting
- chastising
- berating
- blasting
- abhorring
- rebuking
- loathing
- dispraising
- reviling
- excommunicating
- castigating
- detesting
- raking
- lambasting
- ostracizing
- reproving
- reprimanding
- dissing
- vituperating
- reproaching
- cursing
- imprecating
- abominating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approving
- praising
- endorsing
- blessing
- lauding
- sanctioning
- indorsing
- commending
- applauding
- exalting
- glorifying
- eulogizing
- touting
- hailing
- acclaiming
- saluting
- sanctifying
- extolling
- honoring
- consecrating
- hallowing
- revering
- venerating
3
as in sentencing
to impose a judicial punishment on damned him to life in prison without the possibility of parole Synonyms & Similar Words
- sentencing
- condemning
- punishing
- dooming
- adjudging
- judging
- correcting
- ruling
- finding
- penalizing
- disciplining
- chastening
- opining
- chastising
- censuring
- castigating
- concluding
- decreeing
- determining
- resolving
- deciding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pardoning
- reprieving