darnedest
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of darnedest
First recorded in 1830–35; darned 1 ( def. ) + -est 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Who on Earth would genuinely want Fielder, the human equivalent of a skunk, to crash their last moments with their loved ones as he does his darnedest to stink up the place?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
"Our approach now, is to do our darnedest to keep bluetongue out of Wales," he said.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2025
Next week, everyone does their darnedest to impress Padma with Indian food.
From Salon ● May 5, 2023
“We’re going to be focusing on precision prevention, really trying our darnedest to get through to the people who may even consider acting out,” Mr. Mitchell said.
From New York Times ● Jun. 1, 2022
And the darnedest thing: I kept remembering something Ben said and I could not get it out of my head.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
