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
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
The drone also incorporates an acoustic shield to dampen noise from its own propellers, enabling clearer detection of echoes.
—
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Thursday did nothing to dampen that talk.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
But a shortage of foreign workers is dampening the mood.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Yankees won 3-2 that day, but that hardly dampened our hopes for the season and our new superstar.
—Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Thursday did nothing to dampen that talk.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
But a shortage of foreign workers is dampening the mood.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Yankees won 3-2 that day, but that hardly dampened our hopes for the season and our new superstar.
—Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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At least, this time, unlike the December 2023 inspection, only natural juices moistened the ham and the rice looked insect-free.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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Mist gently with water or set the container in a pan of warm water to moisten from below.—
Holly McNamara,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Protective styles like low buns or braids can also reduce frizz throughout the day.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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In her tenure, Colorado has taken major steps to increase price transparency, reduce hospital and prescription drug costs, and hold the health care industry accountable.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kent’s departure quickly became a flashpoint inside conservative media, with some praising him for taking a stand and others accusing him of undermining the administration during wartime.—
Steve Mollman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Time for Warren Buffett to get the owners in the Casa Grande ballroom and run a cost-benefit analysis on the value of undermining the league’s integrity in a sport in bed with gambling against the price of paying officials.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The only change here, though, is that the KB399 gets more suspension adjustment than the Kawasaki, thanks to preload and damping adjusters.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
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Gnats are tiny flying pests that are attracted to warm, moist environments and are often found near overripe fruits and vegetables, damp soil and standing water.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Together, the potential departures of two of Kansas City’s most experienced lawmakers — one on his own terms, one forced — could play a role in shaping the city’s future and diminish its ability to secure local priorities at the federal level.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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Some of the gags are inspired, some are exasperating, none of them are presented in a way that suggests the filmmakers know the difference, and all of them are shoved down your throat until they’re diminished enough to swallow.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the president contends there is no excuse for the lack of participation now that Iran's navy has been sunk and its air defenses severely weakened.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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In the state’s view, that weakens or muddies the legal boundary between the two types of gambling venues.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lightly wet a microfiber cloth with warm water, being careful not to over-soak it.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
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Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Merrill had the same impulse—the need to become a self not necessarily free of all that money could buy but not crippled or deadened by it, either.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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