1
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
refused to let the setbacks damp his drive for success
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Designed to protect infrastructure from earthquakes, wind, and industrial vibrations, the invention offers a low-cost, reliable alternative to other damping systems.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Increase Air Circulation and Humidity Place a small fan near the seed starting area to keep the air moving and reduce damping off, a common fungal disease.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Improper conditions can lead to damping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Increase Air Circulation and Humidity Place a small fan near the seed starting area to keep the air moving and reduce damping off, a common fungal disease.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Improper conditions can lead to damping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damping
Verb
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Patriotism is also a factor, and expressions of fear can be seen as undermining a nation under attack.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Experts warn that militarizing the anti-cartel fight risks undermining rule of law in regions where civilian institutions are weak and corruption is endemic.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Space Leylands 8 to 10 feet apart to control these problems and avoid wetting the foliage.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
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When cleaning your upholstered headboard, avoid over-wetting it.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many gardeners embrace biodiversity in turf areas to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while reducing the inputs needed for lawn maintenance.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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That means potentially shutting down or reducing ice time for some of its biggest stars who are playing through nagging injuries.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That hasn’t happened, and attacks continue to fly, potentially weakening the eventual GOP nominee.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Bank of England officials will now have to weigh the risks of weakening demand in the UK economy, against surging oil and gas prices.—
Irina Anghel,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After each set of waves, the control room would repeat the test, only with the turbulence-dampening software turned on this time.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Currently, some of Europe’s best basketball teams (including Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko and Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus) aren’t connected to its largest media markets, dampening ubiquitous continental interest in the sport and lowering its television value.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
26 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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This boost in oil revenue would likely hand Putin new revenue for his war effort in Ukraine, an enormous expenditure that has been draining Russia’s economy, according to James Henderson at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
10 Mar. 2026
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Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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 14 Mar. 2026.
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