as in adulterated
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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
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Recent Examples of watered-down
Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
These rules, vehemently opposed by the natural gas industry, already watered down by the district to near-toothlessness, were ultimately rejected by the board — apparently overwhelmed by the flood of fake opposition to even the mildest effort to limit pollution from gas-burning appliances.
—Mary Nichols, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrain significantly watered down its proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait.
—Didi Tang, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrain significantly watered down its proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The resolution was significantly watered down in the face of opposition from China and Russia about allowing force.
—CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Talk of overthrowing the regime has been dropped, and his goals for ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions watered down.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The Republican supermajority watered down consumer protection bills, approved no property tax cuts and did little to improve the cost of living.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Midnight Mammoth last in a field of five that was watered down by the scratches of Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking and Grade 2 winner Westwood.
—Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 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
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
These rules, vehemently opposed by the natural gas industry, already watered down by the district to near-toothlessness, were ultimately rejected by the board — apparently overwhelmed by the flood of fake opposition to even the mildest effort to limit pollution from gas-burning appliances.
—Mary Nichols, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrain significantly watered down its proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait.
—Didi Tang, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrain significantly watered down its proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The resolution was significantly watered down in the face of opposition from China and Russia about allowing force.
—CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Talk of overthrowing the regime has been dropped, and his goals for ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions watered down.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The Republican supermajority watered down consumer protection bills, approved no property tax cuts and did little to improve the cost of living.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Midnight Mammoth last in a field of five that was watered down by the scratches of Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking and Grade 2 winner Westwood.
—Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 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
-
The latest to join the portfolio is Patrón 100, a tequila that is distilled to proof and bottled at 100 proof or 50 percent ABV, which means the tequila is not diluted with water before bottling.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That decision diluted the power of one citizen, one vote.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Bruins loaded the bases with one out, then broke the 1-1 tie on a fielder’s choice.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
And while the Raptors are loaded on the wings — Barrett, Murray-Boyles, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes all interchangeable defending the perimeter — Toronto lacks the star power.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Florida’s campaign for governor is infected.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Among the measles cases in California, at least 12 of those infected were infants too young to be vaccinated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The newscast cut the bodycam footage after his entry to protect her identity, but Vogel proudly said there was no cause for concern.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
In April 2009, a unanimous council — including first-year member Todd Gloria — embraced Sanders’ plan to impose a 6% cut in pay and benefits for city workers, cutting the shortfall in half.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watered-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watered-down. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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