wet blanket

noun

: one that quenches or dampens enthusiasm or pleasure

Synonyms of wet blanket

• drag
• party pooper
• crab
• bore
• old maid
• cynic
• spoilsport

Examples of wet blanket in a Sentence

I'd love to go to the party, but with my cold, I'm afraid I'd just be a wet blanket.

Recent Examples on the Web

The extra layer of complexity and stagnation feels like a wet blanket being thrown over our summer plans. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 15 July 2026

But the rivalry between these teams runs deep, and the Penguins tried hard to throw a wet blanket on the Capitals' playoff hopes and Ovechkin's big day. — CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026

Regardless, the new hard-line stance on playing time was a wet blanket tossed onto an overachieving team. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026

This approach isn’t about throwing a wet blanket on the festivities of the season. — Monitor Staff, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wet blanket

noun

: one that discourages or puts an end to enthusiasm or pleasure