1
as in damps
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 reduces
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in undermines
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dampens
As someone who enjoys gardening and beautifying my yard, one thing that always dampens my mood is the sight of weeds.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
El Nino often dampens — but doesn’t eliminate — Atlantic hurricane season activity, but increases it in the Pacific.
—
Seth Borenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Water dampens how far debris gets thrown, as anyone who has ever tried throwing an object underwater can confirm.
—
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
That’s way too many and dampens his 56 strikeouts and only 36 hits allowed.
—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
The exertion dampens some of the mirth.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
The divider dampens cabin noise and provides a visual barrier from the aisle, restroom lines and galley traffic.
—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
This dampens the volatility of month-to-month without overlooking changes in year-to-year.
—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Snow also dampens the sound and may slightly reduce the danger compared to a typical thunderstorm.
—
Brandi D. Addison,
IndyStar,
23 Jan. 2026
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
El Nino often dampens — but doesn’t eliminate — Atlantic hurricane season activity, but increases it in the Pacific.
—
Seth Borenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Water dampens how far debris gets thrown, as anyone who has ever tried throwing an object underwater can confirm.
—
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
That’s way too many and dampens his 56 strikeouts and only 36 hits allowed.
—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
The exertion dampens some of the mirth.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
The divider dampens cabin noise and provides a visual barrier from the aisle, restroom lines and galley traffic.
—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
This dampens the volatility of month-to-month without overlooking changes in year-to-year.
—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Snow also dampens the sound and may slightly reduce the danger compared to a typical thunderstorm.
—
Brandi D. Addison,
IndyStar,
23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampens
Verb
-
Ash wood damps the micro-vibrations of rough urban pavement in a way aluminum and steel can't match without extra engineering.
-
While the standard model damps the road irregularities, the S feels more glued down, even in its softest setting, Sport.
Verb
-
Soluble fiber reduces cholesterol levels by blocking its absorption in the digestive tract and promoting its excretion from the body.
-
Its 58-degree vertical design reduces wrist strain, while advanced features boost productivity.
Verb
-
That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
-
It is believed internally that the organization’s independence has been dramatically compromised because she is also perceived as an opinion journalist with political ties to the current administration, which further undermines her credibility.
Verb
-
Buttermilk makes this cake tender while adding vegetable oil moistens the cake.
-
Users place the pouch between the gum and upper lip, where saliva moistens it and releases nicotine.
Verb
-
His status as a third-round pick dulls how the Eagles view his potential to fulfill either question.
-
Concern has grown over on whether AI will become a catalyst that enriches humanity or a technological toxin that dulls human intelligence while wiping out millions of high-paying jobs.
Verb
-
When foreign investors pull money out of the country, demand for the rupiah drops, and the currency weakens.
-
Every interaction either builds confidence or weakens it.
Verb
-
Another Pearl Girl wets herself when the Eyes come for Thalia.
-
Spray wets leaves and in the cool hours, leaves are susceptible to deadly molds and mildew.
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
-
As shame diminishes, confidence can grow.
Cite this Entry
“Dampens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampens. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
