damn
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for damn, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Interjection — Used to express anger, frustration, or surprise.
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 damn
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Considered a mild profanity — common in casual speech but best avoided in formal writing.
Etymology
From Old French damner, from Latin damnare ("to condemn, to inflict loss upon").
Full origin of damn →Frequently asked questions
What does “damn” mean?
The word “damn” means used to express anger, frustration, or surprise. In plain terms, a mild swear word used for emphasis, frustration, or to condemn something strongly.
How do you pronounce “damn”?
“Damn” is pronounced DAM (/ˈdæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “damn” in a sentence?
Here is “damn” used in a sentence: “Damn, I forgot my keys again.”
What part of speech is “damn”?
Depending on how it is used, “damn” can be an interjection, an adverb and a verb.
Where does the word “damn” come from?
The word “damn” comes from Latin. From Old French damner, from Latin damnare ("to condemn, to inflict loss upon").
Is “damn” a common word?
“Damn” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “damn” have?
“Damn” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to express anger, frustration, or surprise.
Is 'damn' a bad word?
Damn is a mild swear word. It was once considered strongly offensive because of its religious meaning, but today most people regard it as fairly gentle, far milder than stronger profanity. It is fine in casual speech among friends, though best avoided in formal writing or very polite company.
What is the difference between 'damn' and 'darn'?
Darn is a polite, softened substitute for damn, created so people could express frustration without swearing. The two mean the same thing as exclamations, but damn is the original mild profanity while darn is a family-friendly stand-in you can use freely in almost any setting.
Is 'damn' formal or informal?
Damn is informal. As an exclamation of anger, frustration, or surprise, it belongs to casual, spoken English and relaxed writing. You would not use it in a business report, academic essay, or polite formal letter, where a phrase like 'how frustrating' would be more appropriate.