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

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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 Buy The stainless-steel drain of the Composer One garbage disposal seals to dampen sound while grinding food. — Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 There was always something to take care of given the age of the buildings and the dampening mist sent up by the waterfall. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2026 Lightly dampen the mitt with water and wring it out to help the tanner glide on smoothly. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026 Officials noted that the rainstorm could help dampen the spread of the fire but also brings strong winds that could further elevate fire risk. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dampen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen

Verb

The next several days will see a cooling and moistening trend in both the Bay Area and Central Coast; temperatures are expected to be well below seasonal averages.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Drizzle in 1/4 cup melted butter; stir until evenly moistened and crumbly.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of moisten

Verb

Proponents say such a system can reduce response time in the face of gun violence or a medical emergency.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Rather than having dog kennels lined up across from each other like in traditional shelters, the New Leash on Life design will have kennels on one side facing a hallway to reduce barking and stress.

— Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

According to Axios, the US military has helped ferry crude through the Strait of Hormuz, driving overall levels of exports through the key waterway to about half of prewar levels and undermining Iranian efforts to control the crossing.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Constant record-setting ticket sales and TV viewership were undermined by growing resentment among everyone from athletes to fans over the players’ salaries; Clark’s rookie pay was just $76,000.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

The chassis features a unique rear hinge that splits slightly upon impact, helping to damp street vibrations and preventing the scooter from bottoming out on minor debris.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
When cleaning wood or stone, use it barely damp and well wrung, with a pH-neutral cleaner.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of damp

Verb

The term refers to when tobacco companies in the 1990s were forced to pay billions of dollars for misleading the public about the safety and potential harms of their products, and subsequently saw their power and influence dramatically diminished.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
The filter significantly diminishes elements commonly found in water that can be damaging, like chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals, and more.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

But the White House cut its offices and weakened its ability to follow up with cases, as well as slashed funding to research on disparities that people of color face in getting diagnosed and attaining resources for disabilities.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Higher debt can also weaken economic growth by crowding out private investment.

— Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 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

Too much intention, too much Trying to Say, too much overarching metaphor, can deaden your work.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Each presents a group portrait of a handful of disaffected British suburbanites—husbands who resent their deadening jobs, toddlers who whine and interrupt, and, above all, hassled wives subsumed by a crush of household obligations.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dampen

verb

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