darnedest

American  

[dahrn-dist] / ˈdɑrn dɪst /

Or darndest

noun

Informal.

1. (used euphemistically) damnedest.

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darnedest British  

/ ˈdɑːndɪst /

noun

1. a euphemistic word for damnedest

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Etymology

Origin of darnedest

First recorded in 1830–35; darned ¹ ( def. ) + -est ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Our approach now, is to do our darnedest to keep bluetongue out of Wales," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2025

People who avoid accountability say the darnedest things.

From Washington Times • Dec. 7, 2023

Next week, everyone does their darnedest to impress Padma with Indian food.

From Salon • May 5, 2023

The kids do say the darnedest things, but they are also vessels of anxiety and avatars of vulnerability.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2022

“Byrd hums. Emmett pretends he’s on Broadway. But for you, they wished they could sing like Frank. We always wish the hardest and work the darnedest for our family,” she says.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers