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
The damping is also harsher than the bZ’s, but make no mistake, the ride’s still soft and generally comfortable, and this thing unapologetically rolls in the bends.
—
Adam Ismail, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
The scoot sports periscope-type front suspension, paired with adjustable straight-barrel damping to the rear.
—New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026
But between noise-damping wind and helmets, some athletes don’t notice.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
Other mechanical improvement includes a titanium exhaust system, four-way adjustable dampers with electronic damping control, and carbon-ceramic brakes.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Plants that are already stressed indoors or grown in overcrowded conditions with poor airflow are more likely to develop fungal issues, like damping off or plant edema (lesions on the underside of leaves).
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
In two-dimensional tests, the researchers showed that thin sheets could precisely tune stiffness and damping while maintaining the same form factor.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
Improper conditions can lead to damping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Adam Ismail, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
The scoot sports periscope-type front suspension, paired with adjustable straight-barrel damping to the rear.
—New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026
But between noise-damping wind and helmets, some athletes don’t notice.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
Other mechanical improvement includes a titanium exhaust system, four-way adjustable dampers with electronic damping control, and carbon-ceramic brakes.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Plants that are already stressed indoors or grown in overcrowded conditions with poor airflow are more likely to develop fungal issues, like damping off or plant edema (lesions on the underside of leaves).
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
In two-dimensional tests, the researchers showed that thin sheets could precisely tune stiffness and damping while maintaining the same form factor.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
Improper conditions can lead to damping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
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
-
Prior federal probes also looked at whether Tesla's Autopilot system may have been exacerbating human driver behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driver’s supervision.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
As inside sources told Business Insider, the tech giant quietly pulled its Blue Jay robot just months after its announcement, undermining its claims of taking advantage of recent advancements in AI tech.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Focus on even moisture at the soil level, and avoid wetting the flowers and the rest of the plant, if possible.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
-
To water from the top, pour water over the soil, avoiding wetting the leaves.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Unbalanced Or Leaning Tree A weakening root system or poor pruning practices can cause a tree to lean to one side.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
My opponent, Tim O’Hare, has led with ideology and performative politics, reducing transparency, weakening public participation, and creating financial instability through deficit-style budgeting and reserve spending.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 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
-
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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To prevent this from happening again, repot the peace lily in fresh soil that is well-draining.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Wembanyama made a 3-pointer, but Raptors star Barnes ended it by draining his only shot of the game.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Damping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damping. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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