water down

verb

watered down; watering down; waters down
Synonyms of water downnext

transitive verb

: to reduce or temper the force or effectiveness of
watered down the plan
watered-down adjective

Examples of water down in a Sentence

watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language. CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Hazel was chasing a stream of water down the street while her father was pressure washing their driveway outside when she was hit by a car backing out of a nearby driveway, her parents told KPCQ. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 This tournament is so watered down because of FIFA’s decision to expand the field from 32 to 48 teams that this will be the first World Cup not to have an opening round Group of Death. Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language. Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for water down

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water down was in 1811

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Cite this Entry

“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20down. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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