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
Still, the abrupt departure of the chief executive has come at a challenging time for the retailer, with sales falling and dampening interest from younger shoppers.
—
Christine Hauser, New York Times, 1 May 2025
But before the banter could continue, the mood was dampened by the head of the eatery.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
Salt is commonly used to dampen bitter flavors—Brussels sprouts or leafy greens are a good example—so when the bitterness of the watermelon is masked by the salt, the sugary sweetness shines.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Such a move would also signal Beijing’s continued commitment to the dollar system and dampen speculation about an emerging BRICS currency or a broader push toward de-dollarization.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Christine Hauser, New York Times, 1 May 2025
But before the banter could continue, the mood was dampened by the head of the eatery.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
Salt is commonly used to dampen bitter flavors—Brussels sprouts or leafy greens are a good example—so when the bitterness of the watermelon is masked by the salt, the sugary sweetness shines.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Such a move would also signal Beijing’s continued commitment to the dollar system and dampen speculation about an emerging BRICS currency or a broader push toward de-dollarization.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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People can then take some steps to protect themselves, such as covering the mouth and nose with a scarf, using saline solutions to moisten the airways, and getting vaccinated when possible.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
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Wet the soil to moisten it up before spreading it evenly onto a clean baking sheet.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by at least 7.6 million from the Medicaid changes, and possibly more with other changes to the Affordable Care Act.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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In Sacramento, California, the weather service warned its office would have reduced staffing overnight.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
The current United squad may lack attributes needed for Amorim’s preferred tactical system to thrive, but yesterday exhibited a lack of mental focus that undermined every major action.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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His mini-rehabilitation tour in the media is, in accustomed Biden fashion, doing more to undermine his case for himself than buttress it.—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
9 May 2025
Verb
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They’re applied to damp hair after shampooing and conditioning—and then, crucially, left there.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
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In a nutshell, the shocks use low damping forces when the vehicle is traveling in a high frequency environment, like on long stretches of smooth road, but use high damping forces when traveling in a low frequency area like a road with a lot of bumps or sharp corners.—
Bryan Rogala,
Outside Online,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But missing those goals doesn’t diminish the importance of potentially revising the target, for which the Paris Agreement includes a review mechanism, Stokes said.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 May 2025
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
10 May 2025
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This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Once seedlings are visible, water from below and, throughout the growth of your plants, never wet the foliage to minimize mildew development.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
15 May 2025
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My clothes were wet with sweat on the inside and wet on the outside from a mixture of rain, snow and sleet, and some of the mist was freezing on the trees.—
Charles Elliott,
Outdoor Life,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
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She was shot three times at close range, with a blanket wrapped around the gun to deaden the sound.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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