# damning

/ˈdæmɪŋ/ (US) · /dˈæmɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/damning
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

showing very clearly that someone is guilty or that something is a complete failure. You use it to describe evidence or reports that are impossible to argue against.

For teachers: providing extremely strong evidence of guilt, failure, or error. Often describes testimony, evidence, or reports that are impossible to refute.

## Examples

- The witness gave a damning account of the events.
- The leaked emails provided damning evidence that the company had ignored safety warnings for years.
- The committee's final report was a damning indictment of the administration's failure to prepare for the predicted economic downturn.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The evidence was very damming." but "The evidence was very damning." — Learners often forget the silent 'n' before the 'ing' suffix, confusing it with the spelling of 'dam' (a water barrier).

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun like 'evidence', 'report', or 'testimony'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.