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 Rain chances rise late this week and could dampen Halloween plans, the National Weather Service said. — Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 Chris Costagli, a vice president and food thought leader at NielsenIQ, said high gas prices have worsened Americans’ concerns about affordability, and that's dampening demand for Halloween treats. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Widespread summer heatwaves across Europe in 2026 also dampened chocolate consumption, leaving the broader industry grappling with sluggish volume growth. — CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Chris Costagli, a vice president and food thought leader at NielsenIQ, said high gas prices have worsened Americans’ concerns about affordability, and that’s dampening demand for Halloween treats. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 22 Oct. 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
  • Add to the oil mixture and beat on low speed until the flour is moistened.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, just days earlier, the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel had slammed the coastline and dumped rain over the region — although not enough to significantly moisten the bone-dry vegetation.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of moisten
Verb
  • Others accused the governor of reducing the death penalty sentences to seek an advantage in the 2028 presidential election.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Limiting electric boost primarily to these high-power phases reduces the amount of battery capacity—and battery weight—the aircraft must carry.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • The Colorado Department of Transportation also reported substantial flood damage to highways in the region, with sections of roadway undermined by floodwaters.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The European Union fined Poland for undermining the rule of law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • The first two days are likely to feature weather interruptions and damp conditions suited to bowlers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Suspension is taken care of by 43-mm upside-down forks with adjustable rebound and compression damping, and an adjustable central spring strut at the rear.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of damp
Verb
  • Except in the extreme, legislators are loath to devalue local autonomy while also prioritizing delivery of state aid to diminish local tax burdens.
    — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • While rain chances will diminish, clouds will hang tough through much of the day, and northeast winds will pick up slightly to 5 to 10 mph.
    — Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • An evening spent practicing, creating, or enjoying your own company can strengthen your life outside the group without weakening the friendship.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The grid, however, was already weakened given a lack of maintenance and investment.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Some wet their beds, experience chest pains, or cry out at night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • When the timer dinged, Ernest carried his rats to the sink and wet them gently, one at a time.
    — Madeline ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • Inside the cabin, extensive additional sound deadening in the doors, trunk and wheel arches means phone calls and passenger conversations are entirely effortless at highway speeds.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Too much intention, too much Trying to Say, too much overarching metaphor, can deaden your work.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of deaden

Browse Nearby Words

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 10 Nov. 2026.

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