Ask Difference

Damming vs. Damning — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Damming involves building barriers in waterways to control flow or create reservoirs, whereas damning means to condemn or criticize harshly.
Damming vs. Damning — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Damming and Damning

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Key Differences

Damming is primarily an engineering and environmental activity, focusing on the construction of barriers across streams or rivers to control water flow, create reservoirs, or generate hydroelectric power. On the other hand, damning is a verbal action, often used metaphorically to express strong disapproval or condemnation of someone or something. The term can also imply a belief in assigning someone to eternal punishment in the afterlife.
While damming has tangible, physical impacts on ecosystems and human societies—altering water flow, affecting wildlife habitats, and enabling agricultural and urban development—damning operates in the realm of opinion and moral judgment. The consequences of damming can be seen and measured, such as changes in sediment transport or fish populations, whereas the effects of damning are more subjective, influencing reputations, public perceptions, and emotional states.
Damming requires significant planning, engineering expertise, and financial investment, reflecting a deliberate attempt to harness or modify natural forces for human benefit. Projects are typically undertaken by governments or large corporations and involve extensive environmental impact assessments.
Damning can be done by anyone capable of forming an opinion and expressing it. The act of condemning or denouncing doesn't require special skills or resources, making it accessible to individuals and groups across society. It can be spontaneous, driven by immediate reactions to perceived wrongs or injustices.

Comparison Chart

Definition

The act of building a dam across a watercourse.
The act of expressing strong disapproval or condemnation.
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Primary Purpose

To control water flow, generate power, or store water.
To criticize or condemn actions, ideas, or entities.

Physical/Abstract

Physical act involving construction and engineering.
Abstract act involving expression of judgment or disapproval.

Agents

Governments, corporations, and engineers.
Individuals, critics, or groups.

Outcomes

Changes in ecosystem, water availability, and landscape.
Influence on opinions, emotional responses, and reputations.

Compare with Definitions

Damming

A habitat alteration strategy for aquatic life.
Damming changes fish migration patterns and requires mitigation.

Damning

Condemning to eternal punishment.
The phrase to be damned often implies eternal punishment in religious contexts.

Damming

The process of constructing a dam to control water flow.
Damming the river will create a reservoir for the city.

Damning

A critical judgment impacting reputation.
Her damning testimony swayed public opinion.

Damming

A method to generate hydroelectric power.
Damming small rivers can provide local communities with energy.

Damning

A way to signify something as causing ruin or disaster.
Ignoring climate change warnings is damning for future generations.

Damming

An action aimed at water conservation and management.
The new damming project aims to improve irrigation.

Damning

Marking as guilty or unworthy.
The evidence was damning, leaving no doubt of the guilt.

Damming

An engineering effort to prevent floods.
Strategic damming along the coast protects the town from storm surges.

Damning

Expressing strong disapproval of someone or something.
The review was damning, calling the film a complete failure.

Damming

A barrier constructed across a waterway to control the flow or raise the level of water.

Damning

To condemn to everlasting punishment or another terrible fate in the afterlife; doom
"the ancient belief that souls of the deceased who had been damned for certain sins could rise from their graves and wander the countryside between dusk and dawn" (Rudy Chelminski).

Damming

A body of water controlled by such a barrier.

Damning

To condemn to an undesirable fate; destine
Was damned to live out his life in poverty.

Damming

A barrier against the passage of liquid or loose material, as a rubber sheet used in dentistry to isolate one or more teeth from the rest of the mouth.

Damning

To bring about the failure of; ruin
Insufficient funding damned the project.

Damming

To hold back or confine by means of a dam.

Damning

To denounce or criticize severely
A movie that was damned by the critics.

Damming

To close up; obstruct
He tried to dam his grief.

Damning

To swear at; curse.

Damming

Present participle of dam

Damning

To swear; curse.

Damming

The installation of a dam structure to block flow.

Damning

Used to express anger, irritation, contempt, or disappointment.

Damning

The saying of "damn" as a curse.

Damning

(Informal) The least valuable bit; a jot
Not worth a damn.

Damning

Damned.

Damning

Present participle of damn

Damning

Condemning.
Damning evidence was clear for all to see

Damning

A condemnation.

Damning

An act of swearing with the word "damn".

Damning

That damns; damnable; as, damning evidence of guilt.

Damning

Threatening with damnation

Common Curiosities

What are common purposes of damming?

Common purposes include flood control, irrigation, water storage, and hydroelectric power generation.

How does damming affect the environment?

Damming alters water flow, affects wildlife habitats, and can lead to significant ecological changes.

Can damning be positive?

Generally, damning is used in negative contexts to denote disapproval or condemnation.

What is damming?

Damming is the construction of barriers across waterways to control water flow or create reservoirs.

Who can engage in damning?

Anyone capable of expressing an opinion can engage in damning.

What does damning mean?

Damning refers to expressing strong disapproval or condemnation.

Who can perform damming?

Damming is typically carried out by governments or large corporations with the necessary resources.

Is damning a physical act?

No, damning is an abstract act involving expression of disapproval or judgment.

How does damning influence society?

Damning can shape public opinion, influence reputations, and impact social and political discourse.

What skills are required for damming?

Damming requires engineering, environmental planning, and project management skills.

Can damming have positive effects?

Yes, damming can provide benefits such as water supply, flood control, and renewable energy.

What are the social implications of damming?

Damming can lead to displacement of communities, changes in land use, and alterations in local economies.

Is damning always related to religion?

No, while it has religious connotations, damning is widely used in secular contexts to express condemnation.

Are there alternatives to damming for water management?

Yes, alternatives include water conservation practices, rainwater harvesting, and the use of decentralized, renewable energy sources.

How can the negative effects of damning be mitigated?

Through constructive criticism, open dialogue, and efforts to understand and address the underlying issues.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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