Damage-prone

Damage-prone describes something or someone that is easily injured, harmed, or rendered unusable. This susceptibility can arise from inherent fragility, poor construction, or a tendency towards risky behavior. It highlights a vulnerability to external forces, accidents, or environmental factors, resulting in deterioration, impairment, or destruction. Being damage-prone implies a heightened need for caution, protection, or meticulous care. It's a characteristic often assessed in the context of objects, materials, individuals, and even abstract concepts like relationships or strategies. It's also a key concept in risk assessment.

Damage-prone meaning with examples

• The antique clock, with its delicate gears and fragile casing, was incredibly damage-prone. We kept it behind protective glass, far from curious children. Its value and historical significance meant we took extra care. The clock’s age made it particularly vulnerable to dust, changes in temperature, and the slightest accidental impact. Repair costs for this damage-prone clock would be extraordinary.
• Due to a series of unfortunate accidents, the sports car was notorious for being damage-prone. Even a minor bump on a parking lot could result in costly bodywork repairs. Its low profile, powerful engine, and lightweight materials contributed to its vulnerability. As a result, the owner opted for a comprehensive insurance plan to protect the damage-prone vehicle.
• Sarah, after a series of unfortunate accidents, realized she was damage-prone, at least with her smartphone. Dropping it, or getting it wet was a very common occurence for her. Now she invested in a rugged case and screen protector. She needed the protection, so she started being cautious with the damage-prone technology in her possession.
• The experimental aircraft, built with cutting-edge yet untested materials, proved to be damage-prone during testing. Cracks would form after only several hours. The engineers had to revisit the design, incorporating more robust components and reinforcing the aircraft’s structure. This meant the aircraft was very difficult to repair due to being so damage-prone.
• The delicate ecosystem of the rainforest is highly damage-prone due to deforestation and climate change. Small changes to the environment can trigger catatrophic cascades. Environmentalists are fighting hard to protect this very damage-prone ecosystem from the detrimental impacts of human activities. Without protecting this resource, further damage is unpreventable.