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
Mandatory overtime and stagnating wages were other factors dampening morale, which has gotten even worse now that controllers are not being paid at all.
—
Joel Rose, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Moreover, persistent uncertainty is also dampening economic activity.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
Rising insurance costs, intensifying storms and growing awareness of flood risks are already dampening home sales in some communities − and thus opportunities to simply hand over one’s risk to someone else and move on.
—Debolina Banerjee, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Reading poetry out loud also requires us to pause for punctuation or line breaks, increasing our parasympathetic tone and dampening our hyperactive sympathetic nervous system.
—K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Today, Vance was back on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast to take another kick at dampening the outrage and calls for consequences for the Young Republicans’ pro-Nazis, pro-rape and racist statements.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
In addition to adding decorative flair to windows and doors, these multipurpose window treatments promote privacy and block light, with many designs offering temperature-regulating and sound-dampening qualities to boot.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
The result has been higher long-term borrowing costs, further dampening investment.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Loop’s Experience line is specially made for concerts by dampening the decibels without sacrificing the performer’s sound quality.
—Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Joel Rose, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Moreover, persistent uncertainty is also dampening economic activity.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
Rising insurance costs, intensifying storms and growing awareness of flood risks are already dampening home sales in some communities − and thus opportunities to simply hand over one’s risk to someone else and move on.
—Debolina Banerjee, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Reading poetry out loud also requires us to pause for punctuation or line breaks, increasing our parasympathetic tone and dampening our hyperactive sympathetic nervous system.
—K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Today, Vance was back on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast to take another kick at dampening the outrage and calls for consequences for the Young Republicans’ pro-Nazis, pro-rape and racist statements.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
In addition to adding decorative flair to windows and doors, these multipurpose window treatments promote privacy and block light, with many designs offering temperature-regulating and sound-dampening qualities to boot.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
The result has been higher long-term borrowing costs, further dampening investment.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Loop’s Experience line is specially made for concerts by dampening the decibels without sacrificing the performer’s sound quality.
—Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
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Suspension duties come courtesy of a Marzocchi setup that takes care of compression and rebound damping separately at both front and rear.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
By adding Titanal to its lightweight build, Head gave the Kore more stability and damping without losing its playful, easygoing feel.—
Outside,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The initiative’s foundation addresses the problem of inconsistent and burdensome reporting by engaging the industry to define an optional (and non-exhaustive) questionnaire aimed at strengthening data quality and consistency while significantly reducing the administrative burden on suppliers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In handing down the sentence, Montenegro said Bonillo understood the scope of his misdeeds, abused his position of trust and used that position to enrich himself while undermining CBP’s main goal.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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In late September, a wave carrying debris from a nearby home that had already collapsed slammed into theirs, undermining its foundation.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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What sold me on the Shapton set was the process of wetting the whetstones.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Increase the resistance on this exercise by wetting the towel first.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who sits on the water authority’s board of directors, asked officials to gather more options for blunting the impact of rate hikes.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Many shutdowns have largely played out over the weekend, blunting the impact, according to the CRFB.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That goes even further than DESI's hints at weakening dark energy.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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Warm kitchens speed up staling and fat oxidation, dulling flavors faster.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Extremely draining and hard day, hard for everyone involved, hard for everyone who loved Marshawn.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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Make sure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter for best results.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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