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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of water down
Whether the House’s restrictive approach prevails or is watered down in negotiations with the Senate could determine not only the future of the emergency fund but also how much unilateral spending power Florida’s governor retains as hurricane season looms over the coming year.
—
Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump health officials are proposing changes that would water down the options for people who buy their own health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
—Bob Herman, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026
Harris said swift regulation is pressing because as AI takes over jobs, human political power could become watered down as human workers grow less valuable economically.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
To help break down grease residue, pour near-boiling water down the drain once a week.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump health officials are proposing changes that would water down the options for people who buy their own health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
—Bob Herman, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026
Harris said swift regulation is pressing because as AI takes over jobs, human political power could become watered down as human workers grow less valuable economically.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
To help break down grease residue, pour near-boiling water down the drain once a week.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
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The court’s ruling affirms that when communities are fractured or configured in ways that dilute their voting power, the state Constitution provides a solution.—
Chris Alexander,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
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For nails and hair On the hair, rosehip oil can be applied to the ends, preferably diluted with a carrier oil like argon oil, to add shine and help control frizz.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The snowpack the skiers had been travelling on had a weak layer that had been loaded up with snow, making conditions ripe for an avalanche, according to Chris Feutrier, USDA forest supervisor for the Tahoe National Forest.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Stay in car, items will be loaded for you.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Superintendent Brian Yearwood originally proposed cutting academic instructional coaches as part of a plan to address a $188 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Others live and work near polluting freeways.—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Trump blamed Democrats, including Moore, for the spill that has polluted the river that cuts through Washington, DC.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Turns out, Chris lied about touching a stone mid-play and has quietly poisoned every victory and memory the team has enjoyed since.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2026
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Boundaries protect quality of output and prevent resentment from poisoning relationships.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Birds infected with the virus may exhibit symptoms common to colds and flu in humans or may have no apparent symptoms before dying from the disease.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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The death rate for people and animals infected with rabies exceeds 99%.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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