1
as in damping
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 reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampening
But with inflation dampening consumer spending and fewer Americans dining out, her earnings and tips took a dive.
—
Kody Boye, Ascend Agency, 17 Feb. 2026
The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
However many locals have failed to catch Olympic fever with high ticket prices and fears about traffic, security measures and crowded Metro trains dampening enthusiasm.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Saturn leaving Pisces on February 13 lifts the heavy blanket of sorrow and exhaustion that’s been dampening your life force for the last three years, freeing you to unthaw a bit from the winter of your discontent.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Now there’s a comfortable space with a coffeemaker in the central outer room, as well as a private interview room that is insulated with ornamental sound-dampening tiles so children waiting next door can’t hear graphic details their parents are sharing with prosecutors.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
But today, diversified supplies and weakening demand growth are dampening price sensitivity.
—María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Check the blanket for visible stains and pretreat each stain by dampening the stained area with water and adding a few drops of a mild detergent or dish soap.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
That's just because the sugar, again, is dampening that effect.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
Kody Boye, Ascend Agency, 17 Feb. 2026
The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
However many locals have failed to catch Olympic fever with high ticket prices and fears about traffic, security measures and crowded Metro trains dampening enthusiasm.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Saturn leaving Pisces on February 13 lifts the heavy blanket of sorrow and exhaustion that’s been dampening your life force for the last three years, freeing you to unthaw a bit from the winter of your discontent.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Now there’s a comfortable space with a coffeemaker in the central outer room, as well as a private interview room that is insulated with ornamental sound-dampening tiles so children waiting next door can’t hear graphic details their parents are sharing with prosecutors.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
But today, diversified supplies and weakening demand growth are dampening price sensitivity.
—María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Check the blanket for visible stains and pretreat each stain by dampening the stained area with water and adding a few drops of a mild detergent or dish soap.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
That's just because the sugar, again, is dampening that effect.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
-
The damping is also harsher than the bZ’s, but make no mistake, the ride’s still soft and generally comfortable, and this thing unapologetically rolls in the bends.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The scoot sports periscope-type front suspension, paired with adjustable straight-barrel damping to the rear.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The challenge for policymakers will be to curb misleading promotion without cutting off patients’ access to reliable information or undermining their role in directing their own care – and that will likely require addressing broader issues in the health care system.—
Anna Chorniy,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
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In the run-up to the midterm elections later this year, Kennedy appears to be shifting his focus from undermining the childhood-vaccine schedule—his least popular priority, according to one recent poll—to battling the food industry, which enjoys broad support.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Also, wetting the peel before storage may encourage mold growth.—
Hannah Harper,
Health,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Focus on even moisture at the soil level, and avoid wetting the flowers and the rest of the plant, if possible.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Polhamus, 76, struggled to remember some key conversations and dates, blunting the impact of her testimony.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There is, at present, some evidence for dark energy weakening over time, although the results from the DESI collaboration, which provide the strongest evidence to date for such a scenario, are highly ambiguous.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Evidenced by no-confidence votes and faculty demonstrations, a sizable number of professors hold weakening trust in their institution's administrators.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Soften turf by moistening the lawn a day or two before removal and use a sharp space to cut small sections.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
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Your nose is better at warming and moistening the cold, dry air than your mouth.—
Susan Russell,
Verywell Health,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Also, don't store beans or ground coffee in the refrigerator—the coffee may absorb moisture and odors, dulling its flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
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There are gobs of money to be made selling enterprise software, but dulling the impact of AI is also a useful feint.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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