1
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
refused to let the setbacks damp his drive for success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wetting
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
damp the shirt slightly before ironing it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
nothing seemed to damp the unwelcome attentions of her suitor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of damping
Improper conditions can lead to damping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.
—
Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
These coverings should be removed once seedlings sprout to prevent fungal diseases like damping off.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Ride quality is another major focus of the Buick Electra E7, which is equipped with a pre-emptive RTD continuously variable damping suspension system designed to adapt in real time to changing road conditions.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Suspension duties come courtesy of a Marzocchi setup that takes care of compression and rebound damping separately at both front and rear.
—New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
By adding Titanal to its lightweight build, Head gave the Kore more stability and damping without losing its playful, easygoing feel.
—Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
These coverings should be removed once seedlings sprout to prevent fungal diseases like damping off.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Ride quality is another major focus of the Buick Electra E7, which is equipped with a pre-emptive RTD continuously variable damping suspension system designed to adapt in real time to changing road conditions.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Suspension duties come courtesy of a Marzocchi setup that takes care of compression and rebound damping separately at both front and rear.
—New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
By adding Titanal to its lightweight build, Head gave the Kore more stability and damping without losing its playful, easygoing feel.
—Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damping
Verb
-
Trump this week deployed border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota after this month’s fatal shootings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, undermining Noem’s leadership of her department.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
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And election officials across the country are warning that the administration’s combative approach is making their jobs harder and undermining Americans’ faith in the electoral process.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 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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Supporters of the idea say a combined utility would be able to cut costs by reducing the number of employees.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The proposal also establishes more predictable timelines for preparing environmental impact statements, reducing delays and providing greater certainty for both developers and financing partners.—
Carlina Rivera,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
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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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
Verb
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Both nationally and in Minnesota , there has been a shift away from intelligent discussion of public policy to endless partisan warfare with a deadening impact on the public.—
Arne Carlson,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
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Now, Sora 2 might just be another online fad, a reality-deadening distraction that people will soon tire of.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Clay-heavy soils under many Michigan roads, especially around Metro Detroit, trap moisture rather than draining it.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Public schools in Florida are funded on a per-student basis, and schools that operate at about half capacity or less typically do not generate enough money to be self-supporting, instead draining the district’s budget.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 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
Cite this Entry
“Damping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damping. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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