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
That appeared to work out once again with his threats to China over rare earth exports later watered down online, Woods said.
—
Alex Harring,sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
Swift simply refuses to pass this baton, and her kung fu grip on pop’s crown handicapped this record and watered down her best qualities.
—Bianca Davino, Refinery29, 7 Oct. 2025
In one passage, the cameras follow water down a shower drain and into a cavernous subterranean universe; in another, Mike tumbles through a sky of stars.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
The mass-absorption of content watered down Prime Video’s overall pool of exclusivity as much of Freevee’s library was older content, which is the easiest to share.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for water down
Alex Harring,sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
Swift simply refuses to pass this baton, and her kung fu grip on pop’s crown handicapped this record and watered down her best qualities.
—Bianca Davino, Refinery29, 7 Oct. 2025
In one passage, the cameras follow water down a shower drain and into a cavernous subterranean universe; in another, Mike tumbles through a sky of stars.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
The mass-absorption of content watered down Prime Video’s overall pool of exclusivity as much of Freevee’s library was older content, which is the easiest to share.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
-
Far from cheapening or diluting Ibsen’s themes and conflicts, the action revitalizes them.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Without the requirement to protect majority-minority districts, Republicans would have far greater freedom to redraw congressional maps in ways that dilute the voting power of Black and other minority communities—areas that tend to favor Democrats.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To get started, simply load your disc, select an output format, adjust any settings as needed, and then press Start.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Suitcases were being loaded as well.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At Dilara Findikoglu, models looked like ladies in waiting that had risen from the dead; wearing antiquated corsetry that was dirtied and torn.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
-
As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The organization is also working with ranchers to establish prescribed burn associations to manage the damaging plants and is organizing community cutting days to reduce woody encroachment further.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Store cut or cooked squash in an airtight zip-top bag or container in the refrigerator for up to four days.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For instance, an injunction to stop a company from polluting a lake is premised on the idea that damage to a lake and the life in it is irreparable.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Gas from Tehran fuels nearly a third of Iraq's electricity generation, yet frequent and prolonged outages remain common, forcing residents to rely on costly, polluting private generators.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The plot was inspired by a Japanese news report that had deeply disturbed Woo, about a lunatic guilty of poisoning baby formula.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Investigators reportedly discovered evidence through online records that Gates allegedly purchased materials and attempted to carry out a plan to poison her husband.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In addition, raccoon feces may contain Baylisascaris roundworm eggs, which can infect humans and lead to nerve damage or blindness.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In cells infected with influenza A, FOOD and F-ApoEVs contained viral proteins and even whole virions, which are the complete, infectious viral particles that exist outside a host cell.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share