1
as in to moisten
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
dampen a paper towel with water and use it to clean up the mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampen
Between washes, simply dampen your hair and work the spray through it for a quick refresh.
—
Claire West, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
But with inflation dampening consumer spending and fewer Americans dining out, her earnings and tips took a dive.
—Kody Boye, Ascend Agency, 17 Feb. 2026
After 15 minutes, dampen a cloth and gently scrub the area.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Claire West, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
But with inflation dampening consumer spending and fewer Americans dining out, her earnings and tips took a dive.
—Kody Boye, Ascend Agency, 17 Feb. 2026
After 15 minutes, dampen a cloth and gently scrub the area.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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Add the 2/3 cup milk; stir until just moistened.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
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Soften turf by moistening the lawn a day or two before removal and use a sharp space to cut small sections.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Upon his arrival, Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison on earlier corruption convictions, a term swiftly reduced to one year following a royal pardon.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Cutting convoy risk Army planners see cargo drones as a way to reduce dependence on traditional resupply convoys.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The report also undermines Orbán’s claims that Hungary has no option but to purchase Russian oil.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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This constitutes a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, undermines the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and obstructs the establishment of their independent sovereign state .—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But between noise-damping wind and helmets, some athletes don’t notice.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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Other mechanical improvement includes a titanium exhaust system, four-way adjustable dampers with electronic damping control, and carbon-ceramic brakes.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But some analysts say Iran's unprecedented weakness at home could diminish the flexibility of its country's leadership to make the kinds of compromises necessary for a deal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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The emergence of cable, podcasts and streaming audio and video platforms — none of which are subject to FCC restrictions in terms of content — have greatly diminished traditional broadcast media’s dominance in the marketplace.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Getty Images Since the June strikes, Iran’s rulers have been weakened by street protests, suppressed at a cost of thousands of lives, against a cost-of-living crisis driven in part by international sanctions that have strangled the country’s oil income.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
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Some purchasers had issues with the hook-and-loop straps weakening quickly.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When cleaning, first wet the glasses or use a lens spray before wiping.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
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Focus on even moisture at the soil level, and avoid wetting the flowers and the rest of the plant, if possible.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Considerable resources were devoted to acoustics that deaden the train noise from the outside.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Schjerfbeck also liked the way Degas bleached his pastels to deaden their tone.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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