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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampening
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
Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
To ring in the new year, the cities and villages of Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour will be holding several events, but with them comes several road closures that will bring mood-dampening traffic.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
But Golden State put the game away by shooting 24-for-49 on 3-pointers for the game, dampening a 33-point effort by Charlotte’s Brandon Miller.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
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
Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
To ring in the new year, the cities and villages of Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour will be holding several events, but with them comes several road closures that will bring mood-dampening traffic.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
But Golden State put the game away by shooting 24-for-49 on 3-pointers for the game, dampening a 33-point effort by Charlotte’s Brandon Miller.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
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There is quite a bit of variability to Theon’s tuning and performance, from suspension damping and ride height to wheel/tire combinations and of course engine tunes.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
4 Feb. 2026
-
By controlling whether tiny internal cells are solid or liquid, the blocks can change stiffness, damping, and movement without altering their overall shape.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The system responded within milliseconds, fast enough to support real-time reactions such as pulling away from harmful contact or reducing applied force during interaction.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans argued the bill would accomplish little in the way of reducing rates and would demonize utility executives.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Russian general was one of several GRU officials sanctioned by the United States in 2016 for wide-ranging malicious cyber activity directed at undermining US democratic processes.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Poor oversight puts care at risk by draining resources, enabling unsafe practices, and undermining long-term sustainability.—
Miki Kapoor,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some other unconventional methods include steaming the fabric to soften the threads and then stretch, as well as wetting the garment and then pining it down at the correct size, like how crocheters stretch out granny squares.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Now add a blob of water, wetting some of the sand.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But earlier this week, a bipartisan group of senators worked to strike a compromise that could resurrect the enhanced ACA premium tax credits — potentially blunting the blow of rising monthly payments for Obamacare enrollees.—
Luke Garrett,
NPR,
1 Jan. 2026
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The shortfall stems from rising costs for the memory chips that go into computers, a jump which is blunting the benefits of a sales cycle for PCs.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the images were aimed less at reassuring the public than at boosting morale among the regime’s weakening security forces.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Skies will be sunny, with winds weakening by the afternoon.—
Anthony Franze,
San Antonio Express-News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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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Here, in the eyes of the reluctant young scholar, was a vital antidote to the dulling effects of habit and routine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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Older workers face forced plateaus as organizations hesitate to invest in workers over 50, assuming their time is limited, minds are dulling, and retirement is imminent.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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