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
The survey snapped three consecutive months of dampening consumer sentiment, recovering from an all-time low in May, data showed.
—
Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 June 2026
An inner cover allows moisture to condense without dampening the hive, and an outer cover protects the colony from inclement weather.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Kyle Grillot | Bloomberg | Getty Images Mortgage rates continued to climb higher last week, dampening demand for loans from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 20 May 2026
In the wake of the immigration raids last summer, many of their potential patrons refrained from hosting celebrations, dampening their business.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
One of San Francisco's busiest freeways remained shut down Saturday, creating major traffic delays and dampening business for some local restaurants and shops.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Build budgets that defend your savings without dampening your enthusiasm.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
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.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2026
That change has brought layoffs and smaller travel budgets, both dampening San Jose’s conference and convention recovery, Bellisario said.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 June 2026
An inner cover allows moisture to condense without dampening the hive, and an outer cover protects the colony from inclement weather.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Kyle Grillot | Bloomberg | Getty Images Mortgage rates continued to climb higher last week, dampening demand for loans from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 20 May 2026
In the wake of the immigration raids last summer, many of their potential patrons refrained from hosting celebrations, dampening their business.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
One of San Francisco's busiest freeways remained shut down Saturday, creating major traffic delays and dampening business for some local restaurants and shops.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Build budgets that defend your savings without dampening your enthusiasm.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
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.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2026
That change has brought layoffs and smaller travel budgets, both dampening San Jose’s conference and convention recovery, Bellisario said.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
-
The suspension has been reworked by completely altering its geometry, mounting points, and damping.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
-
The gasket mount design of the K2 and K8 combines multi-layer sound-damping materials for a deeper and more solid typing experience.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Some institutions, like the University of Arizona, are intentionally lowering class sizes to improve academic performance and graduation rates, while reducing scholarship expenses and national recruitment burdens.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
-
Norway's smartphone ban has already yielded results, according to some studies, including increasing students' GPAs and reducing trips to mental health professionals, particularly among female students.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Key workplace factors undermining desire include constant connectivity, performing emotional labor, relentless multitasking, experiencing burnout, and failing to take genuine breaks.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Even after the revolution, prominent Sudanese preacher Abdulhay Yousif said the establishment of a women’s football league was aimed at undermining religion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Irrigation should be applied at the base of the plant at the soil line to avoid wetting the blooms.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
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Irrigate at the base of plants to avoid wetting foliage, which can encourage plant diseases like black spot.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The body adapts to the daily dose, blunting caffeine’s impact on blood pressure, mental alertness and exercise performance.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
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Quality drops around menstruation as estrogen and progesterone fall, blunting melatonin and cortisol rhythms.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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After reaching record levels in the 1990s and 2000s, deforestation declined until the 2019-2022 term of then President Jair Bolsonaro, whose government was widely criticized for weakening environmental protections.—
Gabriela Sa Pessoa,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
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For this, Langelo recommends moistening the soil to make the weeds easier to pull.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
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Each watering session should deliver about 1/2 inch of water, moistening the soil to a depth of about 6 inches to support healthy root development.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The danger is heavy-handed protections for Eskom will suppress wholesale prices, dulling market signals investors need for further investment in the sector, and effectively rebranding the old monopoly.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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At some point, the bracket creep is going to overreach into the point of diminishing marginal returns — dulling regular seasons and perhaps ultimately even eventually interest in the postseasons.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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