WordGarden.iodamnable
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈæməbəl/
US
Meanings
Adjective
extremely bad, annoying, or objectionable
deserving divine condemnation or damnation
Beyond the definition
The word "damnable" carries a lot of weight; it originally referred to something worthy of eternal punishment (damnation) in a religious context. While it still carries that dark echo, today we use "damnable" to describe anything intensely unpleasant, frustrating, or shockingly bad. It's stronger than simply bad—think of a truly infuriating problem, a terrible situation, or an utterly awful piece of news.
Imagine a detective in a noir film muttering, "This damnable rain!" as it washes away crucial evidence. Or perhaps a frustrated mechanic yelling at a stubborn bolt: "This damnable thing won't budge!" It is often used to express strong annoyance and exasperation, hinting at something deeply wrong or unfair. While its roots are religious, you likely won't hear it used literally in church these days!
"Damnable" comes from the concept of "damnation," the idea of eternal punishment in hell in some Christian traditions. Historically, actions or ideas seen as sinful or worthy of divine punishment could be labeled damnable. While it still retains that religious shadow, the word has broadened to describe something exceptionally bad, awful, or frustrating, often evoking strong negative emotions.
It is not simply about being unpleasant; "damnable" implies a sense of inherent wrongness or injustice. You wouldn't call a slightly overcooked steak "damnable," but you might describe a corrupt political system as such. It suggests something is fundamentally flawed and deserving of condemnation.
The word often appears in literature, particularly older works, to emphasize the severity of a situation or a character's actions. Think of villains plotting "damnable schemes" or heroes facing "damnable odds." In modern usage, it remains powerful but tends to be used for emphasis rather than literal religious condemnation.
You might hear: "The damnable heatwave is ruining the crops," or "He was plagued by damnable memories." It is a word that adds weight and intensity to whatever it modifies, suggesting something truly terrible has occurred. While it is considered strong language, "damnable" isn't usually seen as vulgar—it is more archaic and dramatic than outright offensive.
Examples
- 1
Everyday anger
That damnable alarm went off again at five in the morning.
- Usage
damnable is a strong, rather old-fashioned word for showing anger or moral disapproval
- 2
Workplace injustice
She called the company’s refusal to pay its workers a damnable injustice.
- 3
Moral warning
In the novel, the minister warns that pride can lead people into damnable error.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- condemnable
- infernal
- accursed
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- damnable lie
- damnable nuisance
- that damnable
Word family
Explore
- moral condemnation
- terms of reproach
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- damnableadjective