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 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.
The measure has since been watered down and now requires children between the ages of 8 to 16, starting in 2027, to pass a five-step test to be considered properly restrained by a seat belt. Calmatters, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025 This is proof that a novel doesn’t need to be watered down in its style or ideas in order to hold a reader’s attention. Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 Proxies and acolytes are deployed to the networks to underscore the strength of the president’s stance while subtly watering down threats and reassuring investors. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025 Critics of 243 argued it was watered down significantly after industry input. Kate Wolffe october 13, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20down. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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