1
as in damped
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 reduced
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in undermined
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deadened
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampened
Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 19 Mar. 2025
Following several years during which higher central bank base rates and macroeconomic uncertainty have dampened economic sentiment, optimism is returning and M&A activity is expected to increase.
—Julien Villemonteix, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
No, insisted Thomas, quashing any notion that his fateful water-ball at the last had dampened his mood.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
High interest rates, political uncertainty and a cooling labor market dampened the outlook for many businesses last year.
—Jason Leverant, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
But the weather barely dampened the enthusiasm of the Norwegian crowd.
—Nat Herz, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
If the Yankees can get a version of Alcántara reminiscent of his 2022 season the impact of Cole's injury would be dampened.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Since the glory days of 2021 and early 2022—when global investments exceeded $600 billion and unicorns popped up left and right—the market has seriously dampened.
—Zoya Hasan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
But compared to past speeches, his positive ratings were dampened.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Has that dampened, at all, the enthusiasm surrounding March Madness?
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 19 Mar. 2025
Following several years during which higher central bank base rates and macroeconomic uncertainty have dampened economic sentiment, optimism is returning and M&A activity is expected to increase.
—Julien Villemonteix, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
No, insisted Thomas, quashing any notion that his fateful water-ball at the last had dampened his mood.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
High interest rates, political uncertainty and a cooling labor market dampened the outlook for many businesses last year.
—Jason Leverant, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
But the weather barely dampened the enthusiasm of the Norwegian crowd.
—Nat Herz, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
If the Yankees can get a version of Alcántara reminiscent of his 2022 season the impact of Cole's injury would be dampened.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Since the glory days of 2021 and early 2022—when global investments exceeded $600 billion and unicorns popped up left and right—the market has seriously dampened.
—Zoya Hasan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
But compared to past speeches, his positive ratings were dampened.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampened
Verb
-
O'Reilly said that the police department reduced the number of abuse complaints and use of Taser, which had been leading to costly lawsuits.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For far too long, age discrimination has quietly undermined the security of older workers.—
Gary A. Officer,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
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He is also set on handing his successor a strong economy -- a feat that could be undermined by a sudden energy shock reprising the price spikes earlier in his administration.—
Jeff Stein and Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post,
arkansasonline.com,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Lepers’s case study offers a test of whether the same is true in your 50s, or whether the body’s adaptive potential is so blunted that some of the losses become permanent.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
23 Dec. 2024
-
On a third day, exercising afterwards blunted my Lingo Count by a few points.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN,
29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Play at the lake, wet a line, wander through the woods or relax with your binoculars.—
Dalia Faheid,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2025
-
Gently wet their head, paws, belly and ears with cool (not cold) water.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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He was hurt, he was exhausted and knew very well the odds of his Pittsburgh Penguins qualifying for the postseason were minimal at best.—
Josh Yohe,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Fourteen years of war have left the country desolate, and its people exhausted; millions have been displaced or were forced to become refugees.—
Raghed Waked & Justin Salhani,
The Dial,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Its pandemic subsided in 1969, but the virus continued to circulate, eventually becoming a part of the regular seasonal flu strain.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
27 Dec. 2024
-
When the waves finally subsided, there was nothing but silence.—
Michael Fiorentino,
NBC News,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Separately, norovirus outbreaks can also spring from food that was contaminated at the source and that’s often eaten raw, like shellfish harvested from virus-laden water or produce washed with it.—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
6 Jan. 2025
-
There was a lot of talk about Aaron Rodgers being washed.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampened. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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