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
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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
After each set of waves, the control room would repeat the test, only with the turbulence-dampening software turned on this time.
—
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Currently, some of Europe’s best basketball teams (including Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko and Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus) aren’t connected to its largest media markets, dampening ubiquitous continental interest in the sport and lowering its television value.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Rubbing Alcohol Rivera recommends dampening a cleaning cloth with rubbing alcohol and using it to remove sticker residue and tape lines from glass, metal, and plastic surfaces since the alcohol evaporates quickly.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Currently, some of Europe’s best basketball teams (including Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko and Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus) aren’t connected to its largest media markets, dampening ubiquitous continental interest in the sport and lowering its television value.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Rubbing Alcohol Rivera recommends dampening a cleaning cloth with rubbing alcohol and using it to remove sticker residue and tape lines from glass, metal, and plastic surfaces since the alcohol evaporates quickly.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
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For supply siders, higher taxes are like kryptonite to an economy, discouraging businesses from investing and damping entrepreneurial activity.—
Robert Burgess,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Designed to protect infrastructure from earthquakes, wind, and industrial vibrations, the invention offers a low-cost, reliable alternative to other damping systems.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development and Transportation, along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, are instructed to eliminate regulations and update programs that are reducing residential development.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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But the practical effect also meant that the entire second floor of the hotel was turned over to the pope, reducing its capacity for paying guests.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even the scenes in the endlessly maligned New York City (played at least partially by Fort Worth, Texas) look beautiful, undermining the nightmarish declarations of Sheridan’s scripts.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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More like completely disrupting and undermining public education, using students as pawns to make a political statement.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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When cleaning your upholstered headboard, avoid over-wetting it.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Also, consumers often don’t receive all of the savings, blunting some of the financial and political purposes of the holiday.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
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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
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If the goal instead is regime weakening—enfeebling the Islamic Republic so the Iranian public could overwhelm it—there are two ways forward.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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Weak onshore flows will then return Saturday, which combined with a weakening high pressure system are expected to bring five to 10 degrees of cooling to the coasts and valleys but little change across interior sections, according to the weather service.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 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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At Source puts seven years of joint practice and mutual magnetism to tape without dulling the dynamic buzz of their live sets.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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