Definition

Adjective: - Threatening with or causing damnation: Expressing strong condemnation or serving to condemn someone to eternal punishment or severe censure. It describes something that has the quality of damning or pronouncing someone as damned.

Usage

The adjective "damnatory" is used to characterize statements, evidence, or expressions that are severely condemnatory. It is a formal term, often found in legal, theological, or literary contexts to describe something that is conclusively incriminating or morally condemning.

Examples

• The prosecutor presented damnatory evidence that left little doubt of the defendant's guilt.
• His speech contained damnatory remarks about the government's policies.
• The letter was filled with such damnatory accusations that it ruined his reputation.

Advanced Usage

• In a theological sense: Pertaining to or conveying a sentence of eternal punishment.
  • The sermon focused on the damnatory clauses of the ancient creed.
• In a legal/judicial sense: Evidence or testimony that is so incriminating as to virtually guarantee a verdict of guilt.
  • The discovery of the weapon was the most damnatory piece of evidence in the trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Damn (verb): To condemn, especially to eternal punishment; to criticize severely.
• Damnation (noun): The act of damning; the state of being damned; eternal punishment.
• Damning (adjective): (Very similar in meaning) Strongly suggestive of guilt or error; condemnatory.
  • The report was damning for the company's executives.

Synonyms

• Condemnatory
• Inculpatory
• Incriminating
• Denunciatory
• Accusatory

Antonyms

• Exculpatory
• Absolutory
• Vindicatory
• Complimentary

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Damnatory evidence: A specific legal phrase referring to evidence that tends to prove guilt or establish liability.
  • The defense attorney struggled to counter the damnatory evidence presented by the prosecution.

Adjective

1. threatening with damnation