damning

USAGE SUMMARY

'damning' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which means expressing strong disapproval or harsh criticism. Example sentence: The damning evidence against him was overwhelming and led to a guilty verdict.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No, I think Osborne should remain in place until he faces the verdict of the electorate: a verdict that ought to be damning.

The Guardian - Business

In her report on keeping the over-50s in work this spring, government adviser Ros Altmann recounted damning tales of job candidates suffering endless rejections and then suddenly getting interviews after rebranding their tell-tale O-levels as GCSEs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ramsey, who is known for his advocacy of better data in policing, now finds his department at the center of a report with sometimes damning conclusions.

The Guardian

Even before the election results were finalised on Wednesday morning, Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator in peace talks with Israel that collapsed in April, was damning about Netanyahu's record: "Netanyahu has done nothing in his political life but to destroy the two-state solution".

The Guardian

"Six or seven" out of 10 was the faintly damning verdict of one Chinese tourist, an MBA student at Bath University, on the bride's outfit: a glamorous cream Stella McCartney trouser suit with a wide-brimmed hat.

The Guardian - Film

The forensic report, written by 15 doctors and obtained by Guardian Australia, is the most comprehensive document yet on the failings of medical procedure inside detention centres and is a damning indictment of the Australian government's care for refugees.

The Guardian

Maria Eagle MP, the shadow environment secretary, said: "This European Court of Justice judgement is a damning indictment of the government's total failure to tackle the UK's air pollution.

The Guardian

Elaine Weinstein thanked several members of Congress for their attempts to press for her husband's release, as well as "specific officials" of the FBI, but reserved damning words for other sectors of the government.

The Guardian

Those who had in recent days called on Blatter to stand down in light of the damning evidence outlined by the US attorney general Loretta Lynch and warnings from investigators that further indictments would follow were jubilant.

The Guardian - Sport

The headline statistics – those damning league goals versus league games tables – rarely take into account the fact that in the past four seasons 38 of Torres' appearances have been from the bench, often a few minutes long.

The Guardian - Sport

Machines have broken down and been taken away, only to reappear with their seals broken; memory cards (on which votes are recorded) have gone missing.Conspiracy theories have been fuelled by damning memos leaked from Diebold, one of the leading makers of touch-screen voting machines.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "damning" when you want to emphasize the severity and conclusiveness of criticism or evidence. Ensure the context supports such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "damning" when a milder term like "critical" or "unfavorable" would suffice. Overusing strong language diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "damning" functions primarily to express strong condemnation or severe criticism. It is used to describe evidence, reports, or judgments that are overwhelmingly negative and indicative of wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI explains, the term expresses strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "damning" is a powerful adjective used to express strong condemnation or criticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Its primary function is to convey severe judgment, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Related phrases include "condemnatory" and "critical", offering nuances for different situations. Remember to reserve "damning" for truly severe situations to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly condemnatory

Reinforces the intense disapproval conveyed.

harshly critical

Emphasizes the severity of the criticism.

condemnatory

Focuses on the act of condemning rather than the characteristic of being worthy of condemnation.

critical

A more general term that implies judgment, not necessarily negative.

incriminating

Specifically suggests providing evidence of guilt or wrongdoing.

unfavorable

A milder term, simply indicating a negative or disapproving assessment.

devastating

Highlights the destructive impact of the criticism or evidence.

censure

Implies formal disapproval or reprimand.

reproachful

Expresses disapproval or disappointment.

judgmental

Emphasizes the act of forming judgments, often critically.

FAQs

How is the word "damning" typically used in a sentence?

The word "damning" is typically used as an adjective to describe evidence, reports, or assessments that strongly condemn or incriminate someone or something. For instance, "The evidence against the defendant was "damning"".

What are some alternative words to use instead of "damning"?

You can use alternatives like "critical", "incriminating", or "devastating" depending on the specific context. Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance.

When would I use "damning" instead of "critical"?

"Damning" implies a severe and conclusive condemnation, often suggesting guilt or severe fault. "Critical" is more general and simply means expressing judgment or analysis. Use ""damning"" when the criticism is overwhelmingly negative and conclusive.

Is "damning" too strong a word to use in professional writing?

While "damning" can be impactful, assess if it fits the tone of your document. A formal setting might benefit from a milder term like "unfavorable" or "critical" unless the situation warrants a very strong expression of disapproval.