as in deadened
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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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampened
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The company’s hiring spree comes amid a dampened US labor market, as more companies pursue layoffs and pause hiring, often citing AI as the reason.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Cuba, which was already facing an energy crisis and a dampened economy prior to the ouster, is now on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Wipe thoroughly around the rubber seal with the dampened cloth, paying extra attention to any folds, seams, and hidden crevices.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Make sure the filter is not too wet, just slightly dampened.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Finish Planting Cover the seeds with more dampened potting mix and then gently firm again.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
His promise to deliver another standout season comes amid a dampened economy and ongoing geopolitical turmoil, which are denting the performance of fashion and luxury.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Above her, the nightingale hit the tree trunk with a dampened thud.
—Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
Ramadan and Eid is a time of joy for Muslims, but this year, the holiday mood was dampened, local clerics said.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Mar. 2026
At the same time, China’s appetite for conflict has likely been dampened by struggles to support its slowing domestic economy, as well as a string of dismissals in the top echelons of its own military.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Industry representatives say Colorado’s regulations, considered among the strictest in the nation, have dampened interest in investing in the state and increased the cost of business.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Of course, Warren is far from altogether Oscar-less, having picked up an honorary Academy Award at the Governors Award in 2022, although that has not dampened her enthusiasm to win a competitive trophy… or lessened the Academy’s eagerness to put her in a near-miss position year after year.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Wipe The Microwave Clean Use a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water to clean the underside of your microwave.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
These concerns have dampened expectations for more interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year.
—Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
Your basic latex makeup wedges, dampened and rubbed against the stain.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The Kremlin’s economic woes are multiplying with its years-long war, which has added to government debt and dampened business investment.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The company’s hiring spree comes amid a dampened US labor market, as more companies pursue layoffs and pause hiring, often citing AI as the reason.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Cuba, which was already facing an energy crisis and a dampened economy prior to the ouster, is now on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Wipe thoroughly around the rubber seal with the dampened cloth, paying extra attention to any folds, seams, and hidden crevices.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Make sure the filter is not too wet, just slightly dampened.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Finish Planting Cover the seeds with more dampened potting mix and then gently firm again.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
His promise to deliver another standout season comes amid a dampened economy and ongoing geopolitical turmoil, which are denting the performance of fashion and luxury.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Above her, the nightingale hit the tree trunk with a dampened thud.
—Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Ramadan and Eid is a time of joy for Muslims, but this year, the holiday mood was dampened, local clerics said.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Mar. 2026
At the same time, China’s appetite for conflict has likely been dampened by struggles to support its slowing domestic economy, as well as a string of dismissals in the top echelons of its own military.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Industry representatives say Colorado’s regulations, considered among the strictest in the nation, have dampened interest in investing in the state and increased the cost of business.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Of course, Warren is far from altogether Oscar-less, having picked up an honorary Academy Award at the Governors Award in 2022, although that has not dampened her enthusiasm to win a competitive trophy… or lessened the Academy’s eagerness to put her in a near-miss position year after year.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Wipe The Microwave Clean Use a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water to clean the underside of your microwave.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
These concerns have dampened expectations for more interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year.
—Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
Your basic latex makeup wedges, dampened and rubbed against the stain.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampened
Verb
-
Start with a clean cloth damped with plain water.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Use a cotton ball damped with rubbing alcohol and rub over the area.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ortiz's public defender attempted to have the woman's bail reduced, per Fox 11.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The crucial knowledge required to do this practice well cannot be reduced to rules that can be conveyed in a classroom.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When policies deter people from receiving preventive care like getting a seasonal influenza vaccine, public health efforts are directly undermined.—
Dr. Lauren Palladino,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
-
But any argument about media diversity was undermined by the department’s inaccessibility.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
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
-
For any type of cabinet, a soft cloth lightly moistened with soapy water should do the job effectively.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And even supporters of the systems say searchers can become dulled by a multitude of false alarms and miss the few actual weapons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
That all unfortunately overshadows the palpable affection Gosling and Emma Stone have in their second of three movie romances, and even Gosling’s playboy charisma gets dulled a bit.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The escalation in the Middle East has drained both attention and resources away from Ukraine, Vadym, 31, added.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Gilgeous-Alexander was 5 of 15 from the floor in the first three quarters, but drained all three of his shots in the fourth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 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
-
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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The partisan edge in the election-year vote was blunted by 14 Republicans joining 96 Democrats in approving the contract on a 110-31 vote.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The agreement approved by Hawk on Friday heads off what prosecutors described as the risk of the conviction being vacated by a higher court, and the subsequent prospect of a new trial that hinges on records, evidence, and witness availability blunted by the passing of four decades.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampened. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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