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
Rain and flooding could dampen Memorial Day weekend in the South
Pleasant but cool temperatures
Pleasant conditions will be settling in from the Northeast to the Midwest, but below normal temperatures will linger for the holiday weekend.
—
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 24 May 2025
Freshman Matthew Smith, who joined the club last fall, did not let being in the water dampen his enthusiasm for sailing.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
If the courts are permanently enacted, staff will look into adding additional measures including sound dampening panels, painting new parking stalls away from the neighborhood and painting a red curb for emergency vehicle parking.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
He was sentenced to nine days in jail, but his new film suggests that the experience has by no means dampened the fire in his filmmaking.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 24 May 2025
Freshman Matthew Smith, who joined the club last fall, did not let being in the water dampen his enthusiasm for sailing.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
If the courts are permanently enacted, staff will look into adding additional measures including sound dampening panels, painting new parking stalls away from the neighborhood and painting a red curb for emergency vehicle parking.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
He was sentenced to nine days in jail, but his new film suggests that the experience has by no means dampened the fire in his filmmaking.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
-
Water by hand and wet the base of the plants to moisten the root balls and surrounding soil.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
His mother wet a sponge to moisten his lips and tongue.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
-
Yerevan has since sought to diversify its defense sources, reducing arms imports from Russia to as low as 10 percent by 2024.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The Michigan State finding undermines several myths and misrepresentations about COVID spread by the right wing.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
Overemphasizing uncertainties can be used to raise doubt and unduly undermine confidence in robust findings.—
H. Christopher Frey,
The Conversation,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Cool compresses: Applying a clean, cool, and damp washcloth to the rash for five to 10 minutes can bring relief.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2025
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To prevent damping off, avoid overwatering and never let the trays or containers stand in water for any length of time.—
Betty Cahill,
The Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The perception that Iran’s military strength is significantly diminished will raise questions about the stability of its political system.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Bias, inaccuracies and missing values can all weaken model reliability.—
Tor Constantino,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Coercing democratic allies such as Canada or Denmark more broadly weakens trust in U.S. alliances; threatening Panama reawakens fears of imperialism throughout Latin America; crippling the U.S. Agency for International Development undercuts the United States’ reputation for benevolence.—
Robert O. Keohane,
Foreign Affairs,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
His mother wet a sponge to moisten his lips and tongue.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
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The president’s health has been the subject of speculation for years; in 2023, six journalists were arrested after they were accused of sharing a video that appeared to show the president wetting himself.—
Abdi Latif Dahir,
New York Times,
16 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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