watered-down 1 of 2

watered down

2 of 2

verb

past tense of water down

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
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
Reality says Miami will be forced to play its seventh, if not eighth offensive lineman for at least five games in 2026 because a Dolphins offensive line is annually watered down by injuries. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026 Newspaper op-eds from big names have long been ghostwritten by junior staffers or outside PR firms — no disclosure necessary, and often watered down and hyper-optimized to be as palatable as possible. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Donalds has tried to defuse the issue by saying that SB 484, Florida’s watered down tech protection law, guarantees Floridians will never be hit with electricity rate hikes as a result of data centers. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 Ironically, the firmly conservative majority has watered down Roberts’s power. Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 One All-Star phenomenon in the NBA’s Dunk Contest unarguably has been watered down due to the fact that simply the game’s stars don’t participate. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 Because a lot of the wonderful stuff that was passed during that '63, '64 year in Congress, including the Civil Rights bill, they're being watered down for various reasons. Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 2 July 2026 Critics argue the language was watered down during negotiations and intense lobbying from the platforms, reducing its impact on the biggest players. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 Most experts recommend a solution of watered down rubbing alcohol as an effective and safe stain remover for quartz countertops. Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watered-down
Adjective
  • Navarro, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in August, was sentenced Friday in Manhattan by federal Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil for being part of a conspiracy to distribute and administer adulterated and misbranded drugs for racehorses.
    Stephen Edelson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2021
Verb
  • The shift to apps deepened, rather than diluted, the customer relationship, unlocking always-on engagement, rich first-party data and a far faster cycle of product innovation.
    Dana Dunne, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Otherwise, apply a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every two to four weeks.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Saturday put that to the test, when Wheeler again loaded the bases with no outs in the first.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Michael Conforto continued his strong season with a solo home run in the third, his 14th of the year, and Happ’s two-run single with the bases loaded that inning extended the Cubs’ lead.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • One in 50 pregnant women in Fiji are infected with the virus, said Lalabalavu, the health minister.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
  • While most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms, others can experience anything from fevers, headaches, vomiting, and more within two to six days after being bit.
    Emily McLeod, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Lopez tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Carlos Hernandez to cut Miami’s lead to 11 points.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The decline raises the prospect of an interest rate cut by the central bank at next week’s monetary policy committee meeting, the penultimate one for this year.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Watered-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watered-down. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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