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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of water down
That major hedge is new, and seriously waters down the importance of these two existing constitutional criteria.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Snowpack is an essential lifeline for the state’s water supply that keeps reservoirs healthy, acting as a slow, natural release system that melts gradually through drier periods and trickles water down into reservoirs.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
On the big screen, marijuana has been watered down to the point of near invisibility.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
Broiling the vegetables keeps them from watering down the casserole.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Snowpack is an essential lifeline for the state’s water supply that keeps reservoirs healthy, acting as a slow, natural release system that melts gradually through drier periods and trickles water down into reservoirs.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
On the big screen, marijuana has been watered down to the point of near invisibility.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
Broiling the vegetables keeps them from watering down the casserole.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
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Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas.—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Civil rights activists and Black lawmakers oppose the plans, arguing the new districts would dilute minority voting power and strip Black communities of representation.—
Kim Chandler,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The defendants then allegedly drove the truck to a pre-arranged drop-off area, loaded the merchandise into getaway vehicles and then drove away.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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The Cubs loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, and Busch coaxed a two-out walk to end the game.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
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With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The shutdown has had a massive impact on the finances of Iranians whose businesses rely on internet access and has also effectively cut the people off from the outside world.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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After being cut from the high school team each of his first three years, Sloane piled on some muscle, increased the velocity on his fastball and drew college interest last summer.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Water sources are often polluted through run-off from lawns that contain herbicides.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
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As of last April, the state environmental agency was also lagging behind on inspections of polluting facilities, according to the audit.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The courts said that map was poisoned by partisan considerations, forcing the Legislature to come up with a new map before the 2016 primary.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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Two years later, a train derailed, and the air, water, and clay of East Palestine were poisoned.—
Mary Norris,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
Verb
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In total, five people have been confirmed to have contracted the virus while three others are suspected of being infected.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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When this happens, the eye could become infected, which can be sight-threatening and requires urgent attention.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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