as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of water down
Asking for sportsbook revenue while simultaneously watering down the product and coddling rule-breakers with minor-league rehab is a terrible look.
—
Geoff Clark Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
There was a 200-yard stretch of fast water down through a rocky neck where the water left the lake.
—
Marc Terziev,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
However, the directives may not go far enough in requiring transparency around the cost of new data center connections, and may be watered down in practice, says Ari Peskoe, electricity policy researcher at Harvard Law School.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
24 June 2026
But consumer advocates watch with dismay as some of those ideas are gutted or watered down.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
Geoff Clark Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
There was a 200-yard stretch of fast water down through a rocky neck where the water left the lake.
—
Marc Terziev,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
However, the directives may not go far enough in requiring transparency around the cost of new data center connections, and may be watered down in practice, says Ari Peskoe, electricity policy researcher at Harvard Law School.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
24 June 2026
But consumer advocates watch with dismay as some of those ideas are gutted or watered down.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
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In other words, expanding loyalty beyond hotels does not have to dilute the hotel business.
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Han credits the international team with sharpening his instincts rather than diluting them.
Verb
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Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena walked to load the bases with one out before Josh Naylor struck out swinging.
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Whether it's stored inside an apartment, packed into an SUV for a weekend getaway, or loaded into an RV before hitting the road, its compact folding frame makes transportation and storage remarkably simple.
Verb
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The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
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Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Verb
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The solution is to support federal and state legislation that encourages lower-cost, less-polluting renewable energy to speed up the transition away from environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
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Plastics degrade into microplastics, which in humans have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and other health issues, and which are polluting ecosystems from coral reefs to Antarctica.
Verb
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The special bond between Supergirl and her scruffy animal sidekick becomes a key plot point in Kara’s new solo movie, where Krypto is poisoned by space outlaw Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
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Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
Verb
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If people do get infected, antiviral treatments like oseltamivir already exist and vaccines could follow if cases rise.
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Rabies is often found in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected.
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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