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Definitions

damage

[dam-ij] / ˈdæm ɪdʒ /
NOUN
injury, loss
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accident blow bruise casualty catastrophe contamination corruption destruction deterioration devastation disturbance hardship harm illness impairment pollution suffering wound
STRONG
adulteration adversity affliction bane blemish breakage cave-in debasement depreciation deprivation detriment disservice evil hurt infliction knockout marring mischief mishap mutilation outrage reverse ruin ruining spoilage waste wreckage wrecking wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
betterment
STRONG
amelioration improvement
WEAK
development purification
VERB
cause injury, loss
Synonyms
STRONGEST
batter break burn contaminate harm hurt impair infect injure maim mangle mar pollute ravage ruin scorch smash tarnish tear undermine weaken wound wreck
STRONG
abuse bleach blight corrode corrupt crack deface defile dirty discolor disfigure disintegrate dismantle fade gnaw incapacitate lacerate maltreat mutilate rot rust scathe scratch split spoil stab stain vitiate wrong
WEAK
bang up cripple tamper with wear away wreak havoc on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fix mend repair
STRONG
cure enhance heal perfect strengthen
WEAK
adorn beautify decorate ornament purify

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The extent of the damage was not immediately clear and Russian officials gave no details.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

Reid said a recent study of wildfires in the Mournes showed the full extent of the damage caused is not immediately apparent.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

She said the fire didn’t burn any structures, but it did damage an unknown number of Joshua trees in the area.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

When Iran runs out of oil storage, it will have to stop production, causing permanent damage.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

While radiation has a very real power to damage cells, the most likely effect of that damage is cell death.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Vocabulary lists containing damage

"Handle with Care"

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"The Clever Magistrate"

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New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)

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