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
Relevance
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
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
One of San Francisco's busiest freeways remained shut down Saturday, creating major traffic delays and dampening business for some local restaurants and shops.
—
Da Lin, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
This dampens the volatility of month-to-month without overlooking changes in year-to-year.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
But the loss of Kevin Fiala for the season dampened Panarin’s impact.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
The Iran war has dampened the mood at China’s biggest trade fair, with exporters fearing the conflict will further dent demand for their products as economic growth slows.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Da Lin, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
This dampens the volatility of month-to-month without overlooking changes in year-to-year.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
But the loss of Kevin Fiala for the season dampened Panarin’s impact.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
The Iran war has dampened the mood at China’s biggest trade fair, with exporters fearing the conflict will further dent demand for their products as economic growth slows.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
-
Make sure to moisten the soil well before applying fertilizer.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
After core aerating, water turf well to moisten the root zone.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Keep your focus inward, reduce noise, and protect your energy.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid planting garlic near peas, beans, and asparagus, as garlic may compete with these vegetables for nutrients (particularly nitrogen), inhibit their growth, and reduce their yield.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anwar, the state lawmaker and physician, expressed concern that lawsuits undermine patients’ faith in their doctors.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The move comes amid a broader crackdown on speech since the start of the Iran war, targeting those expressing support for Tehran or criticism of Gulf governments, and the publication of images of war damage, which are seen as undermining public confidence and stability.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wet grass or damp sand conducts the Earth’s charge better than dry surfaces, so a morning walk on a dewy lawn or a stroll along the waterline both work particularly well.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Regardless of material, avoid soaking utensils for extended periods and store them somewhere with good airflow rather than sealed in a drawer while still damp.—
Jamie Thilman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perpetuating ageism diminishes all of us.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The change reflects assessment that downside risks from a severe and prolonged tariff shock have diminished after US duties on Thai exports were reduced to levels broadly in line with regional peers, Moody’s said in a statement Tuesday.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every time a middle-class family is forced to drain its wealth or pull back on discretionary spending just to absorb the logistical cost of a geopolitical crisis, the entire economy weakens.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But an industry post from commercial real estate analytics firm CoStar cites geopolitical conflict and high ticket prices for weakening demand and hotelier optimism.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Blot — don’t rub — and avoid over-wetting the mattress, which can lead to mold growth if moisture gets trapped inside.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Water at the base of plants instead of wetting the entire garden with a sprinkler or hose.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
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 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
