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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.

As the body's ability to clear out old neutrophils changes over time, disruptions in this process could lead to increased tissue damage.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

An over-excited group of fans celebrated the two saves by breaking a pane of glass behind the Kings bench, sending the coaches scurrying and pausing the game for several minutes as workmen repaired the damage.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Minor damage was caused to the building and no-one was injured.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

The plaintiffs had not even established that shifting power generation toward technologies that inflict less damage on humans and the planet qualified as “harm” here.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

So far, the funnel clouds had all receded back into the sky before doing any damage.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

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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