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
But the most basic reforms seem to require years of discussion and back-and-forth and watering down.
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
The moisture that has already been absorbed by the soil will pull the additional water down more quickly to the roots.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Moving him elsewhere would water down his ability to drive beyond full-backs and get towards the byline.
—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
The moisture that has already been absorbed by the soil will pull the additional water down more quickly to the roots.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Moving him elsewhere would water down his ability to drive beyond full-backs and get towards the byline.
—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
-
In other words, expanding loyalty beyond hotels does not have to dilute the hotel business.
-
Han credits the international team with sharpening his instincts rather than diluting them.
Verb
-
Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena walked to load the bases with one out before Josh Naylor struck out swinging.
-
Whether it's stored inside an apartment, packed into an SUV for a weekend getaway, or loaded into an RV before hitting the road, its compact folding frame makes transportation and storage remarkably simple.
Verb
-
The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.
-
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.
Verb
-
The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
-
Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Verb
-
The solution is to support federal and state legislation that encourages lower-cost, less-polluting renewable energy to speed up the transition away from environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
-
Plastics degrade into microplastics, which in humans have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and other health issues, and which are polluting ecosystems from coral reefs to Antarctica.
Verb
-
The special bond between Supergirl and her scruffy animal sidekick becomes a key plot point in Kara’s new solo movie, where Krypto is poisoned by space outlaw Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
-
Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
Verb
-
If people do get infected, antiviral treatments like oseltamivir already exist and vaccines could follow if cases rise.
-
Rabies is often found in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected.
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
