dampen

verb

damp·​en ˈdam-pən 

dampened; dampening ˈdamp-niŋ 

ˈdam-pə-

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

dampener

ˈdamp-nər 

ˈdam-pə-

noun

Synonyms of dampen

• moisten
• damp
• wet
• rinse
• wash
• flush

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

Leadership Starts With Conviction In SpaceX's early years, three consecutive rocket failures and the near-bankruptcy by late 2008 would have dampened the spirits of most leaders and their teams. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Be sure to spritz enough cleaner to dampen the cloth well. —Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 20 June 2026

Go back over the tile with a non-abrasive scrub sponge dampened with warm water to rinse any residue. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026

To make the cardboard more appealing to composting worms, dampen and shred it before adding it to the bin, and combine it with another type of substrate, such as some garden soil or damp coconut coir. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dampen

• rifampin

Kids Definition

dampen

verb

damp·​en ˈdam-pən 

dampened; dampening ˈdamp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to check or lessen in activity or vigor : deaden

2

: to make or become damp

dampener

ˈdamp-(ə-)nər 

noun