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
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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
With its high-density acrylic platter, this turntable can help dampen vibrations, which essentially makes the sound smoother and clearer.
—
Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2025
There’s easy plus power here, dampened a bit by the Florida State League’s big parks and humid air; his exit velocity has topped out at 113.8 mph already this year.
—Keith Law, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Noise dampening walls and fencing for pickleball courts are also now available.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Rain overnight awakened the faithful but didn’t dampen their spirits.
—Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2025
There’s easy plus power here, dampened a bit by the Florida State League’s big parks and humid air; his exit velocity has topped out at 113.8 mph already this year.
—Keith Law, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Noise dampening walls and fencing for pickleball courts are also now available.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Rain overnight awakened the faithful but didn’t dampen their spirits.
—Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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Add egg whites and beat with an electric mixer at low speed until evenly moistened, about 1 minute.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
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Smart Cleaning with Pre-Wet, Adjustable Wash, and Warm Drying The T38 includes a pre-wet feature that releases a gentle stream of water to moisten the bowl before use, which may help reduce residue and support more effective flushing.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Judge Kevin McDonough reduced Dennis' bond to $20,000.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
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The vertical design helps minimize the risk of injury from RSI and reduces muscle tension in the arm for more comfort throughout the working day.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s suggestion of easing economic restrictions has drawn sharp criticism from European allies, who warn that any premature normalization could undermine the unified Western stance on sanctions and harm Ukraine’s position in ongoing negotiations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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Provost Jenny Martinez is vastly more accepting of athletics than her predecessor, Persis Drell, who might have done more to undermine football than anyone else on campus.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Having frequently damp feet can increase your risk of athlete's foot, an itchy fungal infection.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
14 Aug. 2025
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Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared pan and then use a rubber spatula or damp fingertips to firmly press the mixture into the pan.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The transit systems that give independence to hundreds of thousands of people living with disabilities will be severely diminished.—
Karen Tamley,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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Rather than diminishing us, this should decentralize our ego.—
Dax Grant,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But Goolsbee said Trump’s immigration crackdown likely has affected population growth and the jobs numbers, but that doesn’t mean the labor market has substantially weakened.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Given the risk to heart issues in people with coronary artery disease, only the 31 healthy participants took part in the fan study (the remaining 27 individuals just underwent skin wetting/no skin wetting conditions).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 July 2025
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Any storms that do form will likely produce wetting rain in the cores but lightning is possible far from these cores in areas that will remain dry.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those left behind.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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By Richard Assheton Read On Little Britain The Breakfast Clubs America’s morning television brightens the day but deadens the soul.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
5 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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