WATER (DOWN) Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

water down

verb

Definition of water down

as in to dilute

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 water down And dehydration can water down performance on the pitch, so to speak. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Because a lot of the wonderful stuff that was passed during that '63, '64 year in Congress, including the Civil Rights bill, they're being watered down for various reasons. — Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 2 July 2026 Critics argue the language was watered down during negotiations and intense lobbying from the platforms, reducing its impact on the biggest players. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 Most experts recommend a solution of watered down rubbing alcohol as an effective and safe stain remover for quartz countertops. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for water down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down

Verb

Any perception that a new government might deprioritise or dilute this work would be read by markets as a signal, and not a good one.

— Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
In Louisiana, where Black residents make up roughly one-third of the population, a federal court had found that a post-2020 congressional map with only one majority-Black district likely diluted Black voting power.

— Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of dilute

Verb

After striking out with the bases loaded in the first inning, Collins delivered in one of the biggest moments.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Jarren Duran’s two-run single with the bases loaded was followed by back-to-back bunt singles from Carlos Narváez and Tsung-Che Cheng, plating two more runs.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of load

Verb

Germany’s biggest automaker is planning a massive restructuring and cost-cutting program in response to intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers and higher tariffs on its exports to the United States.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
The formidable shadow pool, cut by black liquid liner, was juxtaposed with light brown brows and bubblegum blush on the apples of her cheeks.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

Another study, published in Nature, found that Canadian wildfires in 2023, when more than 43 million acres burned, generated more emissions than the burning of fossil fuels in all but the three most-polluting countries.

— Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
The same river that was savagely polluted by the mining industry, devastating the ancestral oasis of Quillagua.

— Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026

Definition of pollute

Verb

Attackers are also targeting AI solutions themselves with prompt injection attacks, poisoned datasets and other increasingly advanced tactics.

— Peter Garraghan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
The researchers note that developing robust pre-treatment systems will be vital, as everyday impurities can quickly poison and deactivate the sensitive metal catalyst.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026

Definition of poison

Verb

When poultry get infected, there is a near-zero chance of survival, so governments across the world have embarked on mass slaughter campaigns in infected farms to slow the spread.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
At least 36 health care workers in Congo have become infected with the virus and died since May.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 2026

Definition of infect

Browse Nearby Words

watercrafts

water down

watered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of water down

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on water down

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aerie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes