damning

A damning statement or action makes someone look really bad.

When people say that an accusation against someone is damning, they mean it's very strong and doesn't leave much room for doubt. For example, if a politician gets caught doing something unethical, the scandal might be considered damning to their reputation. In a court of law, damning evidence can prove someone guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Even in everyday life, something like a video that clearly shows someone cheating might be considered damning proof.

The word "damning" can also have other meanings based on its part of speech and context. For instance, if you describe a restaurant review as damning, it's likely because the reviewer was very harsh and didn't give the restaurant a good score. On the other hand, some critics might praise an artist for creating something that they think is truly damaging to social norms or traditional values - this could be called a "damning critique."