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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampen
Some have asked whether the experience of Desert Warrior may dampen Saudi Arabia’s film interests.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 May 2026
But a poor platform season could dampen Chisholm’s market.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Recent hotel booking reports have dampened expectations on the number of visitors to Kansas City, but some lawmakers remain optimistic about the investment.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Rain and inclement weather failed to dampen the hopes of the first-year Flanagan track coach Jaysha Carter at the FHSAA 4A state track and field finals at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday evening.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 May 2026
But a poor platform season could dampen Chisholm’s market.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Recent hotel booking reports have dampened expectations on the number of visitors to Kansas City, but some lawmakers remain optimistic about the investment.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Rain and inclement weather failed to dampen the hopes of the first-year Flanagan track coach Jaysha Carter at the FHSAA 4A state track and field finals at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday evening.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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Placing a dish of water nearby provides humidity, as does using a spray mister to moisten the surface of the soil.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
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Users place the pouch between the gum and upper lip, where saliva moistens it and releases nicotine.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Earlier that year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a sweeping climate change bill with an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and to achieve economy-wide net-zero levels by 2050.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.—
Sammy Duda,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The question is whether this bill does so or instead sweeps innocent families into an overbroad administrative system that does little to improve child safety while undermining constitutional protections for parents.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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John blamed Steve for the Mac Division’s poor sales and lambasted him for undermining his authority.—
Geoffrey Cain,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Most earwig problems begin outside, where damp piles of leaves, firewood or other debris create an attractive environment for the insects.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles are also common, especially in older homes and damp crawl spaces.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Successive presidential administrations have done little to diminish alcohol’s harms.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 May 2026
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That evolution doesn’t diminish the importance of our core business.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Verb
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As consumer activity has weakened, the central bank has warned about the growing misalignment between real sentiment and headline GDP growth.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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Heat can shrink fabrics, fade colors and weaken elastic fibers, which shortens the life of garments that would otherwise hold up for years.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
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To achieve the bright look, Davy used a ColourPop eyeshadow palette, wetting the shadows with some water and using a concealer brush to apply them.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
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Also, water the hydrangea at its base instead of overhead to avoid wetting its leaves.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Exposing the dental pulp and cleaning out the cavity’s contents also would have deadened the nerves and blood vessels there, leading to pain relief, Zubova said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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