damage
14 synonyms and 0 antonyms for damage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use damage
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French damage, tracing back to Latin damnum ("loss" or "harm") — the same root behind "condemn" and "damn."
Full origin of damage →Frequently asked questions
What does “damage” mean?
The word “damage” means harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something. In plain terms, harm done to something, or the act of causing that harm.
How do you pronounce “damage”?
“Damage” is pronounced DA-mihj (/ˈdæmɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “damage” in a sentence?
Here is “damage” used in a sentence: “The storm caused serious damage to the roof.”
What part of speech is “damage”?
Depending on how it is used, “damage” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “damage” come from?
The word “damage” comes from Latin. From Old French damage, tracing back to Latin damnum ("loss" or "harm") — the same root behind "condemn" and "damn.".
Is “damage” a common word?
“Damage” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “damage” have?
“Damage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something.
What is the difference between damage and damages?
Damage (uncountable) is the harm itself — "the storm caused serious damage." Damages (plural) is a legal term meaning the money awarded in court to compensate for that harm — "she was awarded damages." So you assess the damage to something, but you claim or receive damages as payment.
What is the difference between damage and harm?
The words overlap heavily. Damage usually refers to physical harm that reduces something's value or function — a dented car, a cracked screen. Harm is broader, covering injury to people, health, feelings, or reputation as well as objects. You can harm a person; you typically damage a thing.
What are the types of damage?
Damage is classified in many ways: physical damage to objects or buildings, bodily or personal injury, and property damage. Other common types include water, fire, structural, and cosmetic damage, plus figurative kinds such as reputational or emotional damage. The shared idea is a loss of value, soundness, or usefulness.