dampen

verb
damp·​en | \ ˈdam-pən How to pronounce dampen (audio) \
dampened; dampening\ ˈdamp-​niŋ How to pronounce dampening (audio) , ˈdam-​pə-​ \

Definition of dampen

transitive verb

1 : to check or diminish the activity or vigor of : deaden the heat dampened our spirits
2 : to make damp the shower barely dampened the ground

intransitive verb

1 : to become damp
2 : to become deadened or depressed

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Other Words from dampen

dampener \ ˈdamp-​nər How to pronounce dampener (audio) , ˈdam-​pə-​ \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for dampen

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Examples of dampen in a Sentence

Dampen the spot with a wet cloth. The shower barely dampened the ground. We wouldn't let the bad weather dampen our excitement.
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Recent Examples on the Web That didn't dampen Matt Bourgeois' enthusiasm for hitting two newly opening cannabis shops in South Portland. David Sharp, chicagotribune.com, "A long road: Weed goes on sale years after approval in Maine," 9 Oct. 2020 Ultimately, Insecure took home one trophy, for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series, but that didn't dampen Rae's spirits. Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Inside Issa Rae’s Low-Stress, High-Glam Night at the 2020 Emmy Awards," 22 Sep. 2020 Don’t let your disillusionment dampen their interest or freak them out. Gail Cornwall, Good Housekeeping, "The Right Way to Talk About Politics With Your Kids, According to Experts," 24 Aug. 2020 Stanley’s lecture didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for Taylor. Adam Shatz, The New York Review of Books, "The Stanley Crouch I Knew," 29 Sep. 2020 To dampen inflation, the Fed can raise the interest paid on excess reserves. Alexander William Salter, National Review, "Markets Don’t Have Much Reason to Believe the Federal Reserve," 28 Sep. 2020 One of the problems with an empty stadium is that there is little ambient sound to dampen the sickening thunk of a fastball glancing off a batting helmet. Star Tribune, "Badly timed injuries could continue curse on Twins in playoffs," 27 Sep. 2020 This data suggests that the fires did dampen activity, but only for about two weeks, and mostly in areas closest to the fires. Kathleen Pender, SFChronicle.com, "‘Just mind-blowing’: Despite fires and virus, Bay Area home prices hit record," 17 Sep. 2020 Locals are hoping the fall colors can draw some extra business to dampen the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Star Tribune, "Pandemic's toll on tourism hits Duluth hard," 12 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dampen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dampen

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Time Traveler for dampen

Time Traveler

The first known use of dampen was in 1547

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Statistics for dampen

Last Updated

16 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dampen. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for dampen

dampen

verb
How to pronounce dampen (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of dampen

: to make (something) somewhat or slightly wet : to make (something) damp
: to make (something) less strong or active

dampen

verb
damp·​en | \ ˈdam-pən How to pronounce dampen (audio) \
dampened; dampening

Kids Definition of dampen

1 : to make or become slightly wet Please dampen this washcloth.
2 : to make dull or less active A bad start didn't dampen our confidence.

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Comments on dampen

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