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 2b

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

Potential new guardrails for the industry and rising interest rates could dampen investment and cool off some stocks, some analysts said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Orlando has around 2,930 hours of sunshine each year, meaning your plans won’t often be dampened by rain. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026

Yet her awakening is dampened by her depressed father and cruel stepmother Abby (Rebecca Hall). — William Earl, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

In Salt Lake City’s booming suburbs, Venezuelans are powering construction sites, food trucks and bakeries, even as Trump-era deportation crackdowns fuel fear, dampen public life and shutter restaurants. — Elliot Spagat, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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