WATERS (DOWN) Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

waters down

verb

present tense third-person singular of water down

as in dilutes

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 waters down Many have complained that having two divisions and two state champions for each classification waters down the playoffs and provides easier paths to the state championship game. —

Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026 Tech companies are poised for a big win if Europe waters down its digital regulations overhaul and makes compliance voluntary. —

Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026 The most recent version of the deal waters down a landmark 2021 agreement that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%. —

Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waters down

Verb

Now, Perez said branches are leaving the union because of high turnover in retail banking, which dilutes the original union-supporting staff and allows the company to re-educate new hires with anti-union talking points.

— Chase Jordan April 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
But as the Universe keeps on expanding, the spatial curvature still dilutes, the same way that a small Pringles chip has a greater amount of curvature than a large horse’s saddle.

— Big Think, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026