dampen

verb

ˈdam-pən How to pronounce dampen (audio)
Definition of dampennext
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

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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

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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

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 Spot treating fresh stains with a cloth or napkin dampened with plain water can often get rid of the problem. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026 However, Godyn is expecting shares to pull back due to macroeconomic conditions such as higher inflation that could dampen demand for leisure travel. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 The polymer also helps dampen vibration, delivering a softer, more responsive feel at impact. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Then, for sticky residue or grime, lightly dampen the microfiber cloth and go over the area a couple more times. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
  1. moisten
  2. reduce
  3. undermine
  4. damp
  5. diminish
  6. weaken
  7. wet
  8. deaden
Verb
  • Drizzle in 1/4 cup melted butter; stir until evenly moistened and crumbly.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Arrange some small, flat stones around the puddle to give the butterflies a place to land, and then add enough water to moisten or wet the sand.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of moisten
Verb
  • The South in particular faces higher rates of obesity and other health challenges that have further reduced the pool of eligible recruits and contributed to higher injury rates during basic training, according to service data.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The historic supply shock has also been softened by other factors, including alternative export routes out of the Gulf, China reducing its oil imports, the United States increasing production and drawdowns from global oil stockpiles.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Turning this whole thing into a joke also undermines the danger of the Trawler — just how seriously are we supposed to take this threat?
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Dynastic rivalries, regional rebellions, economic disruption, and the demographic effects of the Black Death all undermined imperial authority.
    — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • For the best results, Bataille recommends applying it to damp hair, concentrating at the roots, then blow-drying the hair up and away from the scalp to maximize volume.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The swingarm geometry has been revised, and there is a new linkage system that has improved damping.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of damp
Verb
  • Instead, the fresh requirements appeared to diminish prospects for a quick deal, despite optimism last week an agreement was near.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • But they’ve never been litigated — and the developments are already stoking fears of diminishing Fed independence as the central bank weighs whether to raise interest rates at its next meeting.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • That makes the world a more dangerous place, where a mistake by just one actor could ignite a regional firestorm, with a US military weakened by Iran unable to ensure American security.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn’t done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts.
    — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Arrange some small, flat stones around the puddle to give the butterflies a place to land, and then add enough water to moisten or wet the sand.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Pyne argues that Mediterranean Europe, much like California, is naturally predisposed to burn because of an annual cycle of wetting and drying.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • And even though access to such banalities may sound brain-deadening, and at best dull, some of the most famous people in the world are now live-streamers.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Freezes caused by large cold fronts pushing into the state from arctic regions can ice over and deaden fruitful citrus trees.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Definition of deaden

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damped
dampen
dampened
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Cite this Entry

“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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