as in adulterated
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in diluted
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
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 watered-down
Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Then, in 1961, and then periodically throughout the 1960s, it was watered down.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
But as the years passed, the Mumbai resident watered down her Lake Como fantasy, prioritizing traditions and culture instead.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
In 2023, the governor attempted to significantly increase the number of charter schools that could open in the city, though the reforms were watered down during negotiations with the state legislature.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
On the big screen, marijuana has been watered down to the point of near invisibility.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The bill was watered down by the end of session.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The board voted to move forward with a study on Tuesday, April 14 after the original motion by First District Supervisor Hilda Solis was watered down and amended.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Linguists and etymologists say that, over time, a playful type of humor has sometimes watered down the word's meaning.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
In the decades since, silencing of even that watered-down (if in some ways more accurate) term has been linked to fossil fuel companies suppressing science to boost profits.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
The concierge idea is being watered down in favor of dealerships, perhaps shared with Hyundai and Kia.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Then, in 1961, and then periodically throughout the 1960s, it was watered down.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
But as the years passed, the Mumbai resident watered down her Lake Como fantasy, prioritizing traditions and culture instead.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
In 2023, the governor attempted to significantly increase the number of charter schools that could open in the city, though the reforms were watered down during negotiations with the state legislature.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
On the big screen, marijuana has been watered down to the point of near invisibility.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The bill was watered down by the end of session.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The board voted to move forward with a study on Tuesday, April 14 after the original motion by First District Supervisor Hilda Solis was watered down and amended.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Linguists and etymologists say that, over time, a playful type of humor has sometimes watered down the word's meaning.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watered-down
Adjective
-
The company in 2020 pleaded guilty to distributing adulterated ice-cream products and agreed to pay a fine over the outbreak.—
Dylan Tokar,
WSJ,
2 Feb. 2023
-
And while most of those overdoses involved the illicit synthetic opioid fentanyl, experts say that an adulterated and contaminated drug supply is also leading to deaths.—
Nadia Kounang,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2022
Verb
-
Those qualities can be diluted when they are replicated across thousands of stores and millions of consumers.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Because Castile soap has a high pH-level, care should be taken to ensure it’s properly diluted before use.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The Diablos loaded the bases with no outs but didn’t score.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
-
McCarthy and Hunter Goodman drew walks off Houser, Willi Castro delivered an RBI single, and Sterling Thompson took one for the team, getting plunked by Houser with the bases loaded.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Then, in a second state, officials would set up isolation and biocontainment units to house Americans infected with the virus.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
Though a person infected with the virus may experience unpleasant symptoms, others may be asymptomatic.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The shortstop also rocketed a 441-foot, two-run home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn in the eighth to cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-3.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Based on 2026 opening day figures, eight teams would have to cut payroll to get under the cap.—
Ronald Blum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watered-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watered-down. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
