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
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Recent Examples of dampens
Light watering that only dampens the top layer of grass encourages weak root systems.
—
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Recession risk dampens the confidence for big purchases, even if mortgage math improves.
—John Walkup, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Snow also dampens the sound and may slightly reduce the danger compared to a typical thunderstorm.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
Strong winds eventually pushed it back into an icy area south of Grand Haven, where it became wedged in thick ice, providing data on how much ice actually dampens strong waves.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Its shock absorber dampens noise even further by protecting against accidental movement like bumps and knocks.
—PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025
Shane Bieber's surprising decision to pick up his $16 million player option dampens the need for rotation help, but the Blue Jays will pursue both starters and relievers this winter.
—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
While the group cheers and parties at a bar, a news report on the TV dampens the mood.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Luckily for them, the Carolina Panthers have even further to go on defense, which dampens the exciting second half of the season produced by QB Bryce Young and the offense.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Recession risk dampens the confidence for big purchases, even if mortgage math improves.
—John Walkup, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Snow also dampens the sound and may slightly reduce the danger compared to a typical thunderstorm.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
Strong winds eventually pushed it back into an icy area south of Grand Haven, where it became wedged in thick ice, providing data on how much ice actually dampens strong waves.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Its shock absorber dampens noise even further by protecting against accidental movement like bumps and knocks.
—PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025
Shane Bieber's surprising decision to pick up his $16 million player option dampens the need for rotation help, but the Blue Jays will pursue both starters and relievers this winter.
—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
While the group cheers and parties at a bar, a news report on the TV dampens the mood.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Luckily for them, the Carolina Panthers have even further to go on defense, which dampens the exciting second half of the season produced by QB Bryce Young and the offense.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampens
Verb
-
Recent research examining extensive housing market data reaches similar conclusions, finding that institutional investors buying single-family homes raises home prices by 1-2% and reduces rents by nearly the same amount.—
Adrian Moore,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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The fiber in fruit slows digestion and reduces the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, helping to lower post-meal blood sugar levels.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any behavior that undermines these standards will be addressed swiftly and seriously.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Dismantling these systems not only threatens health, but also undermines trust, often for reasons that have more to do with self-interest than science, with seeming imperviousness to the real costs in human lives lost.—
Chelsea Clinton,
Vanity Fair,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Buttermilk makes this cake tender while adding vegetable oil moistens the cake.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Heavy rainfall will be possible from the thunderstorms later today as the atmosphere moistens.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To Prevent Dull Edges Chef's Knives A sharp chef's knife can make or break your dinner prep, and putting it in the dishwasher dulls the blade over time.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
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His muscles waste, his mind dulls, his body collapses inward until only a voice remains, thin and disembodied.—
Gilberto Lopes,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Privacy advocates argue that any ambiguity around storage or deletion timelines weakens public confidence.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Sending young people far from home weakens support systems and makes outcomes worse.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sweat that can’t escape wets a jacket’s layer of insulation and accelerates heat loss.—
Longji Cui,
The Conversation,
26 Dec. 2025
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But the comedy is absolutely something that wets my beak, I'm drawn to it.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Board member Nicole Gribstad also urged the committee to include an option that delays such a decision and exhausts all other financial alternatives before closing schools.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampens. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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