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Synonyms for damning


Grammar : Adj
Spell : dam-ing, dam-ning
Phonetic Transcription : ˈdæm ɪŋ, ˈdæm nɪŋ



Définition of damning

Origin :
  • late 13c., "to condemn," from Old French damner "damn, condemn; convict, blame; injure," derivative of Latin damnare "to adjudge guilty; to doom; to condemn, blame, reject," from noun damnum "damage, hurt, harm; loss, injury; a fine, penalty," possibly from an ancient religious term from PIE *dap- "to apportion in exchange" [see Watkins]. The Latin word evolved a legal meaning of "pronounce judgment upon." Theological sense is first recorded early 14c.; the optative expletive use likely is as old.
  • Damn and its derivatives generally were avoided in print from 18c. to c.1930s (the famous line in the film version of "Gone with the Wind" was a breakthrough and required much effort by the studio). The noun is recorded from 1610s; to be not worth a damn is from 1817. The adjective is 1775, short for damned; Damn Yankee, characteristic Southern U.S. term for "Northerner," is attested from 1812. Related: Damning.
  • adj damaging
Example sentences :
  • Our eyes are shut to the damning facts which confront us on every side.
  • Extract from : « The Truth About Woman » by C. Gasquoine Hartley
  • If he could only meet with Roma for a moment and thrust the damning document in her face!
  • Extract from : « The Eternal City » by Hall Caine
  • The significance of it all gripped him with damning clarity.
  • Extract from : « The Street That Wasn't There » by Clifford Donald Simak
  • The most damning argument against the Germans is that they were not lazy enough.
  • Extract from : « Pipefuls » by Christopher Morley
  • He looked again at the damning evidence and his defiance broke.
  • Extract from : « Space Prison » by Tom Godwin
  • He pronounced that like a final and damning judgment of both of them.
  • Extract from : « Space Viking » by Henry Beam Piper
  • Why had this damning evidence been allowed to sink into oblivion?
  • Extract from : « The White Desert » by Courtney Ryley Cooper
  • How shall I stand against his just anger, and his damning allegations!
  • Extract from : « The Gentle Art of Making Enemies » by James McNeill Whistler
  • A hundred damning fingers pointed at the solitary figure there.
  • Extract from : « Bob, Son of Battle » by Alfred Ollivant
  • He sprang to his feet, crushing the damning sheet in his hand.
  • Extract from : « The Rider of Waroona » by Firth Scott

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019