Damage vs. Injury — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
"Damage" refers to harm affecting objects, reputation, or concepts, while "Injury" pertains specifically to physical harm to living beings, especially humans.
Difference Between Damage and Injury
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Damage is a broad term that signifies harm or adverse effects on objects, reputation, or abstract concepts. It doesn't necessarily denote harm to living beings. Conversely, Injury is primarily used to describe physical harm or trauma inflicted upon living organisms, most commonly humans.
When we discuss Damage, we might be referring to the destruction caused to inanimate objects, such as a car, building, or an electronic device. However, Injury is specifically tied to the biological realm, focusing on the trauma, wounds, or hurt experienced by living entities.
It's essential to understand that while all Injuries are a form of damage, not all Damages are injuries. A cracked screen on a phone denotes damage, but obviously, it isn't an injury. However, a broken bone is both an injury and a type of damage to the human body.
Damage can also extend to non-physical realms. A person's reputation can suffer damage, or a business might experience financial damage. Injury, on the other hand, remains firmly rooted in the physical, tangible realm, emphasizing harm to the body.
In essence, while Damage is an umbrella term encompassing various types of harm across multiple domains, Injury narrows down the focus to physical harm affecting living beings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Harm affecting objects, reputation, or concepts.
Physical harm to living beings.
Scope
Broad (can be physical, emotional, financial).
Narrow (physical).
Typical Subjects
Objects, reputation, finances.
Humans, animals.
Nature
Can be tangible or intangible.
Tangible, physiological.
Example
Damage to property, financial damage.
Injury from a fall, sports injury.
Compare with Definitions
Damage
Adverse effect or harm.
The scandal did considerable damage to his reputation.
Injury
A specific instance or type of harm.
A knee injury kept him out of the game.
Damage
Loss or adverse effects on a person or entity.
The emotional damage was harder to heal than the physical.
Injury
An act of injustice or wrongdoing.
She took offense, feeling it was an injury to her character.
Damage
Physical harm causing the impairment of an object.
The storm caused significant damage to the houses.
Injury
Any harm or damage.
Sunburn is an injury to the skin caused by UV radiation.
Damage
Monetary cost due to harm or loss.
The company had to pay for the damages.
Injury
Injury, also known as physical trauma, is damage to the body caused by external force. This may be caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and other causes.
Damage
Any harm or injury impairing the function or condition.
The book suffered water damage.
Injury
An instance of being injured
She suffered an injury to her back
Damage
Damage is any change in a thing, often a physical object, that degrades it away from its initial state. It can broadly be defined as "changes introduced into a system that adversely affect its current or future performance".
Injury
Damage to a person's feelings
Compensation for injury to feelings
Damage
Destruction or a loss in value, usefulness, or ability resulting from an action or event.
Injury
Damage or harm done to or suffered by a person or thing
Escaped from the accident without injury.
A scandal that did considerable injury to the campaign.
Damage
Damages(Law) Money required to be paid as compensation for an injury or wrong.
Injury
A particular form of hurt, damage, or loss
A leg injury.
Damage
(Informal) Cost; price
What's the damage for the tickets to the show?.
Injury
(Law) Violation of the rights of another party for which legal redress is available.
Damage
To cause damage to.
Injury
(Obsolete) An insult.
Damage
To suffer or be susceptible to damage.
Injury
Damage to the body of a living thing.
The passenger sustained a severe injury in the car accident.
Damage
Injury or harm; the condition or measure of something not being intact.
The storm did a lot of damage to the area.
Injury
Other forms of damage sustained by a living thing, e.g. psychologically.
Damage
(slang) Cost or expense.
"What's the damage?" he asked the waiter.
Injury
The violation of a person's reputation, rights, property, or interests.
Slander is an injury to the character.
Damage
(transitive) To impair the soundness, goodness, or value of; to harm or cause destruction.
Be careful not to damage any of the fragile items while unpacking them.
Cold temperatures, heavy rain, falling rocks, strong winds and glacier movement can damage the equipment. File:Cold temperatures, heavy rain, falling rocks, strong winds and glacier movement can damage the equipment.ogg
Injury
(archaic) Injustice.
Damage
To undergo damage.
Injury
(obsolete) To wrong, to injure.
Damage
(transitive) To remove a damaged or unsalable item from the sales floor for processing.
Did you damage the items that the customer returned yet?
Injury
Any damage or hurt done to a person or thing; detriment to, or violation of, the person, character, feelings, rights, property, or interests of an individual; that which injures, or occasions wrong, loss, damage, or detriment; harm; hurt; loss; mischief; wrong; evil; as, his health was impaired by a severe injury; slander is an injury to the character.
For he that doeth injury shall receive that that he did evil.
Many times we do injury to a cause by dwelling on trifling arguments.
Riot ascends above their loftiest towers,And injury and outrage.
Damage
Injury or harm to person, property, or reputation; an inflicted loss of value; detriment; hurt; mischief.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh damage.
Great errors and absurdities many commit for want of a friend to tell them of them, to the great damage both of their fame and fortune.
Injury
Any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
Damage
The estimated reparation in money for detriment or injury sustained; a compensation, recompense, or satisfaction to one party, for a wrong or injury actually done to him by another.
Injury
An accident that results in physical damage or hurt
Damage
To occasion damage to the soundness, goodness, or value of; to hurt; to injure; to impair.
He . . . came up to the English admiral and gave him a broadside, with which he killed many of his men and damaged the ship.
Injury
A casualty to military personnel resulting from combat
Damage
To receive damage or harm; to be injured or impaired in soundness or value; as, some colors in cloth damage in sunlight.
Injury
An act that injures someone
Damage
The occurrence of a change for the worse
Injury
Harm or damage to a person's body.
The accident resulted in minor injuries.
Damage
Loss of military equipment
Injury
Violation or invasion of another's rights.
The court awarded him compensation for the injury suffered.
Damage
The act of damaging something or someone
Damage
The amount of money needed to purchase something;
The price of gasoline
He got his new car on excellent terms
How much is the damage?
Damage
A legal injury is any damage resulting from a violation of a legal right
Damage
Inflict damage upon;
The snow damaged the roof
She damaged the car when she hit the tree
Common Curiosities
Are "damages" and "damage" the same?
While both relate to harm, "damages" often refers to monetary compensation for harm or injury.
Can "damage" refer to harm to animals?
While "damage" can technically denote harm to animals, "injury" is the more common and sensitive term.
Can an object sustain an injury?
Objects typically "suffer damage" rather than injuries, which are reserved for living beings.
Can a company suffer an injury?
Metaphorically, yes, but typically one would say a company suffered "damage," especially to its reputation or finances.
Which is broader: damage or injury?
"Damage" has a broader scope, covering harm in multiple domains, whereas "injury" is more specific to physical harm in living beings.
Is financial loss a damage or injury?
Financial loss is typically referred to as "damage," especially in legal contexts.
Is all injury a form of damage?
Yes, all injuries represent some form of damage, especially to living beings.
Can "damage" denote minor harm?
Yes, damage can be minor or severe, just like injuries can range from mild to serious.
Can "injury" refer to emotional hurt?
Traditionally, "injury" is physical, but metaphorically it can denote emotional harm. "Damage" is more versatile in such contexts.
Can you "injure" someone's feelings?
While not common, it's understood metaphorically. However, "hurt" or "damage" are more typical for emotions.
Is a bruise an injury or damage?
A bruise is considered an injury to the body, but it also represents damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
Can an "injury" be intentional?
Yes, injuries can be both intentional (as in assaults) or accidental (like in many sports injuries).
Is "injury" always negative?
Typically, yes. It denotes harm or trauma, which is generally viewed negatively.
Can "damage" be repaired?
Often, yes. Depending on the context, damage can be repaired or mitigated.
What's the opposite of injury?
Healing or recovery.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
