damn

Used to show anger at someone or something, or that you do not care about it.

• Damn this broken phone!
• Damn you for leaving me here!
• He decided to go ahead and damn the consequences.

Similar words: curse

Common phrases: damn you, damn it, damn the consequences

Used in “I’ll be damned” to express strong surprise.

• Well, I’ll be damned! You won!
• I’ll be damned; the old clock still works.
• Well, I’m damned! I never expected to see you here.

How to use it: I’ll be damned (Well, I’ll be damned! That’s my old schoolfriend.)

Common phrases: well damn me, damn me now

To make someone suffer in hell after death as punishment.

• They feared that their sins would damn them.
• The preacher warned that greed could damn a soul.
• She believed the wicked would be damned to hell.

How to use it: damn someone to hell (He believed his actions would damn him to hell.)

Similar words: condemn

Opposites: save

Common phrases: damn someone’s soul, damn someone forever, damn to hell

To judge someone or something very harshly, or show that they deserve blame.

• The report damned the company’s safety record.
• Critics damned the play as dull and confused.
• His own words damned him in the eyes of voters.

How to use it: damn something as something (The reviewer damned the film as a waste of time.)

Similar words: condemn, denounce

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: damn someone’s conduct, damn with praise, damn a proposal

Used in “I’ll be damned if” to firmly refuse something or strongly doubt that it will happen.

• I’ll be damned if I pay twice.
• I’ll be damned if they get another penny from me.
• I’ll be damned if that plan ever works.

How to use it: I’ll be damned if… (I’ll be damned if I let him take my seat.)

Common phrases: damn me if, damn me first

To put a curse on someone or wish serious harm on them.

• The witch damned him to a life of misery.
• He raised his hands and damned his enemies.
• She feared that the stranger had damned her family.

How to use it: damn someone to something (The curse damned him to endless wandering.)

Similar words: curse

Opposites: bless

Common phrases: damn someone forever, damn someone’s soul, damn an enemy

Used before a noun to show anger or annoyance.

• Turn off that damn alarm!
• Where are my damn keys?
• This damn computer has stopped working again.

Similar words: bloody, damned

Common phrases: damn door, damn thing, damn noise

Used before a noun to make a feeling or statement stronger.

• That’s a damn shame.
• She did a damn good job.
• You’re a damn fool if you believe him.

Similar words: bloody, damned

Common phrases: damn good job, damn shame, damn fool