DAMPEN Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

dampen

verb

ˈdam-pən

Definition of dampen

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling the oppressive heat dampened our spirits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to undermine

to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality nothing could dampen their enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of dampen Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Ty Gibbs also suffered either penalties or damage that dampened their day early. — Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026 An improved suspension helped, as did the additional sound dampening made possible by its unified construction. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Polls show bipartisan concerns about AI developing too quickly, and high costs for everyday items like gas and groceries are dampening the economic outlook for many Americans. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 That’s in no small part because of a strong, brewing El Niño, which typically dampens Atlantic hurricanes with unfavorable wind conditions. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dampen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen

Verb

In fact, just days earlier, the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel had slammed the coastline and dumped rain over the region — although not enough to significantly moisten the bone-dry vegetation.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Uncover dough and moisten hands in water, shaking off excess.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of moisten

Verb

Integrating the interceptor into existing launch infrastructure could reduce the need for extensive equipment changes.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
People can donate clean costumes and pick a new one, reducing waste and the resources and emissions required to make new ones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

There’s a sense that doubt would be a form of disloyalty to what came before you, or that admitting a weakness undermines the confidence of the people around you.

— Flavio Maluf, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Several roads near Westward Beach in Malibu are closed after additional erosion undermined the roadway and exposed a Los Angeles County water main.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

The first two days are likely to feature weather interruptions and damp conditions suited to bowlers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Suspension is taken care of by 43-mm upside-down forks with adjustable rebound and compression damping, and an adjustable central spring strut at the rear.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of damp

Verb

Members of Congress could be expected to resist presidential encroachments because those encroachments diminished their own power.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In theory, such an arrangement diminishes the cells’ ability to transport oxygen from the lungs.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Conditions were expected to improve Saturday afternoon as winds weakened, with fair and dry weather forecast for the remainder of the weekend.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
As trust in America weakens further, other wealthy nations will make the same calculation.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

One of these chambers contains a disc of fabric that is pre-wetted with water, one contains a foaming agent made up of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium bicarbonate (the main component of baking soda), and one contains a drop of eye medication.

— Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Per a guide from Nectr, saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients, and how much is actually absorbed depends on the formulation and how the pouch is used.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of wet

Verb

Inside the cabin, extensive additional sound deadening in the doors, trunk and wheel arches means phone calls and passenger conversations are entirely effortless at highway speeds.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Too much intention, too much Trying to Say, too much overarching metaphor, can deaden your work.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deaden

Browse Nearby Words

damped

dampen

dampened

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Style

“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dampen

verb

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