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

Crisis in the Caribbean has kept artists from touring, COVID has dampened gatherings and ongoing immigration enforcement in the United States has kept even the most die-hard of fans away. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

Use a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to remove makeup from wool coats. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025

Strong winds eventually pushed it back into an icy area south of Grand Haven, where it became wedged in thick ice, providing data on how much ice actually dampens strong waves. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 8 Dec. 2025

But Powell could also sound hawkish next week and dampen expectations for further rate cuts. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025

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