dampen

verb

damp·en | \ ˈdam-pən

dampened; dampening\ ˈdamp-niŋ

, 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

3 : damp sense 1c

intransitive verb

1 : to become damp

2 : to become deadened or depressed

Other Words from dampen Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dampen

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Synonyms & Antonyms for dampen

Synonyms

bedew, damp, moisten

Antonyms

dry

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Overhead lighting is highly adjustable, a switch can make clear windows opaque and noise-dampening tiles create a more serene environment. — Alaska Regional Hospital, Anchorage Daily News, "Bringing babies in need home with NEST," 12 Sep. 2019 The line announced Thursday is part of Tiffany’s strategy to attract younger shoppers and pump up sales, which have been dampened by a decline in spending by tourists from China and elsewhere. — Anne D’innocenzio, BostonGlobe.com, "Bro bling: Tiffany introduces men’s jewelry collection," 23 Aug. 2019 The line is part of Tiffany's strategy to attract younger shoppers and pump up sales, which have been dampened by a decline in spending by tourists from China and elsewhere. — Fortune, "Why Tiffany & Co. Created its First Men’s Collection," 21 Aug. 2019 But Sunday, even the rain falling over Comerica Park couldn’t dampen Baltimore’s ability to respond. — Nathan Ruiz, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles bounce back with rain-soaked 8-2 victory over Tigers as Rio Ruiz’s go-ahead homer holds up," 15 Sep. 2019 The Hurricanes and Gators don’t play each other often, but that hasn’t dampened an intense rivalry that will, this year, kick off a national celebration of 150 years of college football. — Christy Cabrera Chirinos, sun-sentinel.com, "UM 2019 football playbook: Players to watch, crucial games and keys to the season," 22 Aug. 2019 But those remarks did not dampen the criticism over his previous rhetoric. — Shannon Pettypiece, NBC News, "Trump on Democratic critics: 'They call anybody a racist when they run out of cards'," 9 Aug. 2019 Oddly, segregation does not dampen America’s unique brand of optimism, but augments it. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, "Southerners, Facing Big Odds, Believe in a Path Out of Poverty," 4 July 2019 But that hasn’t dampened Facebook’s enthusiasm for it. — Aric Jenkins, Fortune, "The Fall and Rise of VR: The Struggle to Make Virtual Reality Get Real," 20 June 2019

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.