OpenSynonym

damaged

/ˈdæmɪdʒd/

ADJECTIVE

1. Physically harmed or broken

Having suffered physical harm, breakage, deformation, or destruction that affects the condition, appearance, or structural integrity of a person, animal, object, or property.

1.1. Objects, vehicles, and property

Describes tangible objects, buildings, vehicles, or equipment that have been broken, dented, scratched, battered, or otherwise physically impaired.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The antique vase was carefully wrapped to prevent it from getting damaged during the move.
  • After the collision, the car's front end was visibly damaged.
  • The package arrived damaged, prompting a complaint to the shipping company.

Related Words

1.2. People and physical injuries

Describes people or body parts that have suffered physical injuries, wounds, bruises, or other forms of bodily impairment.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The injured passengers were taken to the hospital after the accident.
  • The explosion left several workers badly damaged and unable to return to work.
  • The athlete continued training despite having a damaged knee.

Related Words

1.3. Quality, condition, and functionality

Describes something whose quality, usefulness, effectiveness, reliability, or operational condition has been reduced by harmful influences or defects.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The damaged machinery was removed from the production line.
  • The report revealed several damaged components in the electrical system.
  • The prolonged exposure to moisture left the wooden structure in poor condition.

Related Words

1.4. Reputation and personal standing

Describes someone's reputation, credibility, dignity, or public image after it has been harmed by misconduct, criticism, false accusations, or scandal.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • honored
  • respected
  • esteemed
  • commended
  • praised

Examples

  • The politician's damaged reputation made it difficult to regain public trust.
  • The scandal left the company's previously respected image tarnished.
  • False accusations can leave a person's professional standing seriously damaged.

Related Words

1.5. Emotional and psychological well-being

Describes someone whose emotional stability, confidence, mental well-being, or psychological condition has been adversely affected by distressing experiences or mistreatment.

Synonyms

  • hurt
  • afflicted
  • traumatized
  • wounded
  • troubled
  • distressed
  • anguished
  • brokenhearted

Antonyms

Examples

  • The child came from a damaged family environment that affected his emotional development.
  • Years of neglect left her emotionally damaged and unable to trust others.
  • The betrayal damaged his confidence and sense of security.

Related Words

  • emotional trauma
  • psychological distress
  • suffering
  • anxiety
  • self-esteem
  • emotional pain
  • mental well-being
  • vulnerability

VERB

2. Caused physical or nonphysical harm

To have impaired the soundness, condition, quality, value, or effectiveness of someone or something through physical injury, destruction, deterioration, or other harmful effects.

2.1. Physical destruction and property impairment

Used when an object, building, vehicle, or other physical property has been subjected to an action that breaks, deforms, scratches, or destroys it.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • repaired
  • fixed
  • mended
  • restored
  • rebuilt
  • reconstructed
  • reconditioned

Examples

  • The heavy rain damaged the roof, causing leaks in several places.
  • The falling tree wrecked the parked vehicle.
  • The construction workers accidentally damaged the underground pipes.

Related Words

2.2. Injuring people and causing bodily harm

Used when an accident, physical force, or harmful action causes injury, wounds, or impairment to a person's or animal's body.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The accident damaged several internal organs.
  • The explosion injured workers who were standing nearby.
  • The collision damaged his eyesight permanently.

Related Words

  • physical injury
  • trauma
  • assault
  • wound
  • fracture
  • concussion
  • bodily harm
  • medical treatment

2.3. Harming reputation and credibility

Used when statements, actions, allegations, or events negatively affect someone's reputation, credibility, dignity, or public standing.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • honored
  • praised
  • commended
  • respected
  • enhanced
  • vindicated

Examples

  • The false allegations damaged her professional reputation.
  • The scandal tarnished the politician's public image.
  • His dishonest behavior discredited the entire organization.

Related Words

2.4. Weakening quality and effectiveness

Used when an action or influence reduces the quality, strength, usefulness, reliability, or effectiveness of something.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The floodwaters damaged the crops, leading to significant losses for the farmers.
  • Excessive heat damaged the sensitive electronic components.
  • Poor communication damaged the relationship between the two organizations.

Related Words

2.5. Disrupting, obstructing, or impairing progress

Used when an action or event interferes with the normal operation, progress, or effectiveness of a process, activity, plan, or system.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The unexpected power outage damaged the production schedule.
  • The technical problems hampered the team's progress.
  • The repeated interruptions undermined the effectiveness of the project.

Related Words

VERB

3. Having undergone deterioration or impairment

To have become physically deteriorated, weakened, or less functional as a result of wear, exposure, injury, or other harmful conditions.

3.1. Physical deterioration and decay

Used when an object, structure, or material has gradually deteriorated, weakened, or lost its original condition because of environmental exposure, corrosion, or repeated use.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • improved
  • strengthened
  • restored
  • reconditioned
  • renewed

Examples

  • The wooden structure had deteriorated after years of exposure to moisture.
  • The metal components had corroded in the salty coastal air.
  • The old building had become structurally unsound after decades of neglect.

Related Words

3.2. Declining health and physical condition

Used when a person's or animal's health, physical condition, or bodily functioning has deteriorated or become weaker because of illness, injury, or other harmful influences.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • His eyesight had deteriorated considerably over the years.
  • The patient's physical condition had weakened after the prolonged illness.
  • The disease had impaired his ability to walk independently.

Related Words