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
Tariffs are dampening consumer and corporate demand, dragging on GDP.
—
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Year to year, too, the season swings wildly, soaking the desert one summer and barely dampening it the next.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Integrated acoustic dampening and wind mitigation technology help preserve the tranquility of adjacent spaces, reducing potential noise complaints while enhancing visual appeal.
—Scott Miller, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
From lubricated stabilizers to two sound-dampening foam layers beneath a stainless steel plate, the board's components seem built to last.
—PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
Analysts say the combination of inflation and immigration enforcement is driving many undocumented immigrants out of public life and dampening economic participation.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
The building now has three recording studios, multiple sound isolation and vocal booths, rooms for songwriting and areas with advanced sound dampening.
—Alessia Sandala, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Notably, recent economic indicators mark the first contraction in consumer spending in two years, sending ripples throughout the airline industry and dampening investor sentiment.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
There are new fears about an outbreak of red tide dampening the winter tourism season.
—Jennifer Reed, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Year to year, too, the season swings wildly, soaking the desert one summer and barely dampening it the next.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Integrated acoustic dampening and wind mitigation technology help preserve the tranquility of adjacent spaces, reducing potential noise complaints while enhancing visual appeal.
—Scott Miller, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
From lubricated stabilizers to two sound-dampening foam layers beneath a stainless steel plate, the board's components seem built to last.
—PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
Analysts say the combination of inflation and immigration enforcement is driving many undocumented immigrants out of public life and dampening economic participation.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
The building now has three recording studios, multiple sound isolation and vocal booths, rooms for songwriting and areas with advanced sound dampening.
—Alessia Sandala, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Notably, recent economic indicators mark the first contraction in consumer spending in two years, sending ripples throughout the airline industry and dampening investor sentiment.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
There are new fears about an outbreak of red tide dampening the winter tourism season.
—Jennifer Reed, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
-
The 2010 Land Art Generator Initiative entry even proposed hydraulic damping in the base to scavenge more energy from each gust.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The French prime minister was widely expected to lose the motion after failing to win support from political rivals on both the right and left for 2026 budget plans aimed at reducing the country's yawning budget deficit.—
Ganesh Rao,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
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At Tufts University, scientists have developed a new drug that aims to boost weight loss while also reducing the nausea, muscle loss and weight regain associated with popular GLP-1 medications.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Conversely, tax noncompliance could be the death knell undermining an otherwise strong application.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Layered onto all of this is a political system in which priorities flip every few years, undermining the long-term planning and financing that such megaprojects demand.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Potential for wetting rain exists and could provide additional containment opportunities.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
To clean, start by wetting the inside of your shower.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For now at least, that reality isn’t blunting the temporary ardor for counter-attack.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
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Almost 12 million lower-income Americans would lose their health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), blunting the significant coverage gains made under the ACA.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Then the hurricane continued on a more northward path around the islands and finally began weakening after powerful 145 mph winds tapered off.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Soaring temperatures and drought also sends trees into stress, dulling the experience of fall foliage.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
2 Sep. 2025
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Many parents struggle with how to support adult children without dulling their drive or setting unrealistic expectations.—
Bob Sponseller,
The Enquirer,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The bowls have wavy, scalloped edges that give it an artisanal look as well as holds and cutouts for draining any lingering water.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
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Use fertile, moist, slightly acidic soil that’s well-draining, and amend it with compost or other organic matter.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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