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

None of these concerns has dampened Yang’s enthusiasm for metagenomics, however. — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026

As that number indicates, Monroe is a key component of the Power’s week-to-week offense, and the fact the Ball Hogs have allowed the third-most points (400) since the start of the campaign certainly doesn’t dampen the big man’s outlook. — Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Instead, Deimos’ fractured interior dampened the force of the impact, according to the study authors. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Yields have climbed higher as softer inflation and labor data have dampened the picture for Fed rate hikes, which the market has already priced in. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Aug. 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