dampen

1 to make or become slightly or moderately wet dampen a paper towel with water and use it to clean up the mess Synonyms bedew, damp, moistenRelated Words bathe, lave; douse (also dowse), drench, impregnate, saturate, soak, souse, steep, wash, water, wet; humidify; dip, dunk, immerge, immerse; flush, irrigate, rinse, sluice; refresh, rehydrate, remoistenNear Antonyms dehumidify, dehydrate, desiccate, parch, scorch, searAntonyms dry

2 to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling the oppressive heat dampened our spirits Synonyms benumb, blunt, cauterize, damp, dull, deaden, numbRelated Words muffle, mute, tone (down); decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), lower, reduce, subdue; debilitate, enfeeble, weaken; dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane; alleviate, ease, lighten; abate, moderateNear Antonyms amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen; animate, arouse, stimulateAntonyms sharpen, whet

3 to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality nothing could dampen their enthusiasm Synonyms castrate, damp, dehydrate, deaden, desiccate, devitalize, enervate, geld, lobotomize, petrifyRelated Words burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enfeeble, exhaust, fatigue, sap, tucker (out), undermine, weaken, wear, wear out; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispiritNear Antonyms arouse, rouse, stir; charge, electrify, galvanize; excite, ferment, fire, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, spark, trigger, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, inspire, lift; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, reenergize, refresh, regenerate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, reviveAntonyms brace, energize, enliven, invigorate, quicken, stimulate, vitalize, vivify