water down

verb

watered down; watering down; waters down

transitive verb

: to reduce or temper the force or effectiveness of

watered down the plan

watered-down

ˈwȯ-tərd-ˈdau̇n 

ˈwä-

adjective

Synonyms

• adulterate
• cut
• dilute
• extend
• lace
• sophisticate
• thin
• weaken

Example Sentences

watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices

Recent Examples on the Web

In the affirmative action trial, Harvard said that Mr. Kahlenberg’s model would produce too little diversity, and water down academic quality. —Anemona Hartocollis, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2023

But if widely expected legal challenges to the SEC’s rules—some expected to come from Republican attorneys general waging a broader war against corporate sustainability pledges—water down or delay that effort, California’s law could also serve as a backstop, Wiener says. —WIRED, 24 Mar. 2023

The words are now officially on paper, and anyone looking to oppose or water down the bill should be put on notice—especially since there’s still much more to be done. —Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 1 Mar. 2023

The personal filing comes after Jones lost a bid in Texas to water down the nearly $50 million damages award handed down by a jury earlier this year over the Infowars host’s false claims about the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. —Samantha Beech, CNN, 2 Dec. 2022

Twitter’s founder Jack Dorsey, also offered a mea culpa to water down news of company failings, massive layoffs, and poor performance. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 Jan. 2023

Her evidence comes from around the country, where legislators tried to water down public health laws related to vaccines. —Karen Kaplanscience And Medicine Editor Dec. 13, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2022

Lawmakers have squabbled over details of privacy proposals, and tech giants have deployed armies of lobbyists to water down or destroy legislation. —Cecilia Kang, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Nov. 2022

To water down Aaron's life story to what seems to be unverified clickbait for profit is disgusting. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 13 Nov. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above