damned

American  

[damd] / dæmd /

adjective

damnedest, superlative damndest superlative

1. condemned or doomed, especially to eternal punishment.

   the wailing of damned souls.

2. detestable; loathsome.

   Get that damned dog out of here!

3. complete; absolute; utter.

   a damned nuisance; a damned fool.

4. Informal. extraordinary; amazing.

   It was the damnedest thing I'd ever seen.

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noun

1. the damned, those condemned to suffer eternal punishment.

adverb

1. extremely; very; absolutely.

   a damned good singer; too damned lazy.

idioms

1. damned well, certainly or without doubt; emphatically: Also damn well.

   You damned well better say you're sorry!

damned British  

/ dæmd /

adjective

1. 1. condemned to hell

   2. ( as noun )

      the damned

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   a damned good try

   a damned liar

   I should damned well think so!

2. used to indicate amazement, disavowal, or refusal (in such phrases as I'll be damned and damned if I care )

Etymology

Origin of damned

First recorded in 1350–1400, damned is from the Middle English word dam(p)ned. See damn, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Banks may be damned by skittish investors if they do engage with private credit, and damned if they don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Many of our children’s favorite apps and social-media sites were built from the ground up to keep young users hooked and helpless to look away, consequences to their health and well-being be damned.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

How can Scotland beat Ireland when Ireland have such a stubborn insistence on being so damned good in this game?

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

With hydrogen blending, homes and businesses would have to use a lower-quality gas whether they want it or not, safety and health risks be damned.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

He saw a woman damned; I saw an unhinged old man, literally disfigured by his beliefs.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• darned
• lousy