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.
Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrain significantly watered down its proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait. Didi Tang, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026 Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrain significantly watered down its proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait. ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026 The resolution was significantly watered down in the face of opposition from China and Russia about allowing force. CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 Trump blinked, pausing and watering down many of those tariffs in response to extreme market pressure. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 2026.

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