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
But while fans found ways to make do, some remained fixated on the restrictions around MSG that dampened the spirit of the moment.
—
Antonio Ferme, Variety, 11 June 2026
Umbrellas were a necessary accessory around Washington early Wednesday and the threat of heavier rain later in the week, which could dampen both a scheduled press conference at the Lincoln Memorial as well as fight night, was the only true concern ahead of the fight card.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
Don’t let the Pisces last quarter moon dampen your mood.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Looking back, Wendy said the injury did little to dampen the celebration itself.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Antonio Ferme, Variety, 11 June 2026
Umbrellas were a necessary accessory around Washington early Wednesday and the threat of heavier rain later in the week, which could dampen both a scheduled press conference at the Lincoln Memorial as well as fight night, was the only true concern ahead of the fight card.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
Don’t let the Pisces last quarter moon dampen your mood.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Looking back, Wendy said the injury did little to dampen the celebration itself.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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Add the milk and vanilla; stir just until batter is moistened.—
Jessica Saari Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
-
Set a damp sponge on a dish, and use it to moisten the adhesive on the envelopes.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Before long, the living room is reduced to a bare stage, upon which only a couple of pulleys and switches are visible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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Each ergonomic Nuage seat fully reclines to improve circulation and reduce back pressure.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Court records show Sorsby wagered at least $90,000, including bets on Indiana football, as the NCAA warns the ruling could destabilize college sports and undermine competitive integrity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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But that kind of moderation bottleneck undermined the Polymath vision.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 June 2026
Verb
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With the ground still damp from two days of damaging storms in the Chicago area, south and southwest suburbs residents flocked to Flossmoor Park Friday evening to celebrate Pride Month with food, music and community.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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The gasket mount design of the K2 and K8 combines multi-layer sound-damping materials for a deeper and more solid typing experience.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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While those shortfalls are diminishing, any sudden expenses, including those caused by factors outside of the city’s control, could quickly add to that burden.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
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None of that diminishes anything for each of the 1,248 players who will participate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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The acid can etch, discolor, or weaken stone and concrete.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
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While food during flying days and science days was more grab-and-go, under Wiseman’s seat was a potable water dispenser that allowed the astronauts to wet food that flew with them as a powder.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
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Irrigate at the base of plants to avoid wetting foliage, which can encourage plant diseases like black spot.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Sam Lambert laid down a safety squeeze, deadening the ball in front of the plate and scoring Balls to trim the lead to 3-1.—
Dave Montrose,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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