damning statement

USAGE SUMMARY

"damning statement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a statement that is extremely critical or damaging, especially to someone's reputation. For example: "The president released a damning statement about the senator, accusing him of misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But a source close to the situation claimed that Kazembe made the damning statement only because Madonna fired Banda's sister from serving as her nonprofit's CEO.

Huffington Post

Read the rest of this piece on Broadly.

Vice

Human Rights Watch issued a damning statement on Saturday.

The New York Times

The most damning statement in the report about the traders involved accounting rules.

The New York Times

That sounds like a damning statement, I know, and I feel defeated rather than smug about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a damning statement, Talha's family lashed out at Isis for preying on his "innocence and vulnerability".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

None has provided damning statements.

The New York Times

Yet, over time, an increasing number of witnesses offered damning statements.

The New Yorker

Rebecca Godfrey is the author of Under the Bridge: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk.

Vice

During a publicity tour this week, Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat who was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges, repeatedly professed his innocence, complaining bitterly that many of the damning statements attributed to him had been taken out of context and saying the impeachment trial was unfair.

The New York Times

As you put it, it is a template: She goes through the deposition and all the damning statements that he makes in that deposition that we're talking about now, all of those same damning remarks and admissions.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "damning statement", ensure that the context clearly supports the severity of the accusation or criticism implied by the phrase. Overuse can weaken its impact, so reserve it for situations where the statement truly has significant negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "damning statement" too frequently in your writing. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound overly dramatic. Opt for more nuanced descriptions when the situation doesn't warrant such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damning statement" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "damning" modifies the noun "statement". It serves to describe the type of statement being made, emphasizing its critical and potentially incriminating nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damning statement" is a frequently used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts, to describe a statement that severely criticizes or incriminates. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it effectively conveys strong disapproval or condemnation. When writing, consider its impact, as overuse might weaken the phrase's intended effect. Alternatives like "incriminating declaration" or "condemnatory remark" can provide nuance. Ensure the context warrants the strong language implied by "damning statement" to maintain its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incriminating declaration

Replaces "statement" with "declaration" and "damning" with "incriminating", emphasizing the self-implicating nature of the statement.

condemnatory remark

Substitutes "statement" with "remark" and "damning" with "condemnatory", highlighting the disapproval conveyed by the statement.

damaging admission

Focuses on the act of admitting something that causes harm or discredit.

devastating revelation

Replaces "statement" with "revelation" and "damning" with "devastating", stressing the shocking and harmful nature of the information.

scathing indictment

Uses "indictment" to suggest a formal accusation, while "scathing" underscores the severity of the criticism.

critical assessment

Changes the focus to an "assessment" rather than a simple statement, implying a more thorough evaluation that is highly critical.

strong rebuke

Emphasizes the act of sharply criticizing or disapproving of someone or something.

harsh criticism

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the severity and negativity of the expressed opinion.

unfavorable testimony

Changes "statement" to "testimony", implying a legal or formal context, and uses "unfavorable" to describe its negative impact.

censure

A formal expression of strong disapproval or condemnation.

FAQs

How can I use "damning statement" in a sentence?

A "damning statement" is used to describe a statement that severely criticizes or incriminates someone or something. For example, "The report contained a "damning statement" about the company's environmental practices."

What are some alternatives to "damning statement"?

Alternatives to "damning statement" include "incriminating declaration", "condemnatory remark", or "devastating revelation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a statement "damning"?

A statement is considered "damning" when it provides strong evidence of wrongdoing or severe fault, leading to significant negative consequences for the subject of the statement.

Is there a difference between a "damning statement" and "harsh criticism"?

While both phrases indicate strong disapproval, a "damning statement" often implies more severe consequences or implications than "harsh criticism". "Damning" suggests a more conclusive and damaging effect.