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Synonyms
injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously.
injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.
harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.
hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.
damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.
impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.
mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.
Examples of damage in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'damage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from dan damage, from Latin damnum — see damn entry 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing damage
Dictionary Entries Near damage
Cite this Entry
“Damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damage. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
damage
1 of 2 noundamage
2 of 2 verbLegal Definition
damage
1 of 2 nounNote: The trier of fact determines the amount of damages to be awarded to the prevailing party. More than one type of damages may be awarded for a single injury.
called also compensatory damages
called also expectancy damages
Note: Hedonic damages are not recognized in all jurisdictions.
called also stipulated damages
Note: Liquidated damages in an amount exceeding that needed to reasonably compensate the injured party constitute a penalty and are therefore void.
Note: Compensatory damages are recoverable in a case of failure to perform.
called also exemplary damages, smart money
called also consequential damages
compare direct damages in this entry general damages in this entryNote: Because special damages do not arise in every case, they must be specifically requested in the pleadings. This is an issue of particular importance in cases of harm to reputation, such as slander, libel, and malicious prosecution.
Note: Treble damages are recoverable where authorized by statute and are usually imposed as a punishment.
damage
2 of 2 adjectiveNoun
Old French, from dam injury, harm, from Latin damnum financial loss, fine
More from Merriam-Webster on damage
Nglish: Translation of damage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of damage for Arabic Speakers
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