ENGLISH
REFERENCE

damaging

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈdæmɪdʒɪŋ// UK //dˈæmɪdʒɪŋ// dam·ag·ing

v. causing harm or injury to someone or something. You use it to describe things that break, hurt, or ruin what they touch.

v. causing physical, emotional, or structural harm. Often used to describe the negative impact of actions, substances, or environments on a subject.


SIMPLE

Smoking is very damaging to your health.

CONTEXTUAL

The heavy storm was damaging to the local crops, leading to a smaller harvest this year.

COMPLEX

The leaked documents proved highly damaging to the politician's reputation, undermining years of public service and trust within a single weekend.

Synonyms
Origin

From damage + -ing.

Usage

Typically functions as an adjective; when used as a verb form, it is the present participle of 'damage'.

Pitfall

The storm was very damage for the trees.The storm was very damaging to the trees.Learners often use the noun 'damage' instead of the adjective 'damaging' to describe a harmful effect.

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