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
While automakers unveiled more and cheaper electric vehicles at the Munich Auto Show Tuesday, the controversy gathered pace over whether to water down the European Union’s long-term plan to force its citizens to buy EVs.
—
Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
People will lose interest, and the league will effectively water down what are now some of its marquee matchups.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, as part of its action plan for EU accession, Ukraine has a detailed to-do list of further reforms, and while several of these are already underway, there are growing concerns that the government may try to water down the agenda.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
The result is a smooth, more concentrated coffee that can be watered down or mixed with milk.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for water down
Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
People will lose interest, and the league will effectively water down what are now some of its marquee matchups.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, as part of its action plan for EU accession, Ukraine has a detailed to-do list of further reforms, and while several of these are already underway, there are growing concerns that the government may try to water down the agenda.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
The result is a smooth, more concentrated coffee that can be watered down or mixed with milk.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
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However, the latter half of the season feels meandering, with overstuffed episodes diluting the impact of the plot.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
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Chaos is sorted into appreciable story arcs without diluting its overwhelming effect on our heroes.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Harrison loaded the bases and gave up an RBI single and two-run double, Cora could wait no longer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Morgan Wallen is locked and loaded in a new teaser for Battlefield 6.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Packers cut the gap to 21-6.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
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Stocks got some help from a report on inflation that suggested the Federal Reserve may be able to continue cutting interest rates.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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China’s is arguably the most important; whatever the world’s most-polluting country does will determine the planet’s climate trajectory.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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Transition finance, where financial firms actively pursue opportunities to fund polluting companies’ emissions reductions, has become a hot area.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Krishna discovers that Kaliya is living beneath the surface of a local pond and poisoning its waters with his venom.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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Authorities said Boytsov is also accused of poisoning his wife, who is one of the deceased, with the alcohol.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its severity varies depending on the strain and species that is infected.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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The Indianapolis Animal Care Services did say dogs are still available for adoption and some cats that were kept separate from those infected remain available to adopt.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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