damage 1 of 2

noun

ˈda-mij How to pronounce damage (audio)
Definition of damagenext
1
as in harm
something that causes loss or pain the collision did a great deal of damage to her car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fine
damages plural a sum of money to be paid as a punishment ordered by the court to pay $1000 in damages

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in compensation
damages plural payment to another for a loss or injury the company was forced to pay millions in damages to the permanently disabled worker

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in cost
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something he winced when he saw the damage after the family's shopping spree

Synonyms & Similar Words

damage

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to injure
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the explosion in the sewers damaged the entire city's water supply

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wound
to cause bodily damage to his knee was badly damaged in the accident, and he walked with a limp for months

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word damage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of damage are harm, hurt, impair, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When can harm be used instead of damage?

Although the words harm and damage have much in common, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

Where would hurt be a reasonable alternative to damage?

In some situations, the words hurt and damage are roughly equivalent. However, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When might impair be a better fit than damage?

The words impair and damage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

When could injure be used to replace damage?

While the synonyms injure and damage are close in meaning, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

In what contexts can mar take the place of damage?

The words mar and damage can be used in similar contexts, but mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of damage
Noun
Both will be inspected for damage, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said. — Ross Adkin, Alex Stambaugh and Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025 The financial damage and antagonism a divorce can create can be tremendous. — Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Previously, a fire damaged the building on Oct. 26. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, including entire apartment complexes and trailer parks that were swept away by flash floods. — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damage
  1. harm
  2. fine
  3. compensation
  4. cost
  5. injure
  6. wound
  7. injury
  8. penalty
Noun
  • Is there really harm in encouraging our kids to share their passions online?
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Persistent exposure to air pollution can cause permanent harm, creating health problems for children and setting them up to become sicker adults.
    — Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of harm
Noun
  • In regulated industries, hallucinations can open companies up to fines and investigations.
    — Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The star was also ordered to pay a $350 fine and court fees.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of fine
Noun
  • Public education needs a compensation strategy that recognizes that not all teachers are created equal.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This period of uncertainty and change is the perfect time to explore small but strategic changes: pilot programs, experimental compensation models, and new wellness initiatives to search for any spark.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of compensation
Noun
  • Having an emergency fund prevents the need to use credit cards for these costs, which can increase debt if not paid off quickly due to interest.
    — Víctor Rosario, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Harden delayed a vote last week that would have opened the door for a borrowing plan to allow CPS to absorb the costs of the underfunded pension fund for municipal workers, mostly CPS employees.
    — Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of cost
Verb
  • Terribly shaken, bursting into tears, but not injured.
    — Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • At least 59 people have died and more than 100 others were injured in a fire at a nightclub.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of injure
Verb
  • Sheriff McDowell, who's on the ground wounded, sees Banner kill Clyde.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • On April 2, Russian forces launched multiple strikes on residential areas in the front line city of Pokrovsk, killing one civilian and wounding six others.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of wound
Noun
  • This isn't the first time Monk has suffered a major injury late in the season.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, in just his third game of the season following a return from the IL due to a right hamstring injury, Tauchman re-injured his leg.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of injury
Noun
  • Last year, Tennessee passed a child rape death penalty law.
    — Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Florida passed a child rape a child rape death penalty law two years ago.
    — Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of penalty

Browse Nearby Words

dam
damage
damaged
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Cite this Entry

“Damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damage. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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