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
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 waters down
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
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
-
Democrats have pointed to these facts as evidence that the map dilutes the voting power of minorities and may even be an intentional racial gerrymander.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The decision notably makes no ruling on the constitutionality of the redistricting, leaving the question unresolved as to whether the new map unfairly dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The thieves check the balance when a customer purchases a card and loads funds onto it, then drain the card of funds before the customer can use it, officials said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Dec. 2025
-
As its average shopper loads up on 15 items per basket, the company is betting a growing share of those items will be alcohol-free.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Counterintuitively, some analysts think that the investigation now makes near-term interest rate cuts less likely, because Powell and the other members of the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) will be determined to show the markets that they are guided by the data and not legal threats.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Cutting out any that have negative revenue revisions over the past month cuts that in half again to 100 stocks.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For example, forum participants said a person could sue a company or entity that pollutes a river because the river has the right to be pollution-free.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
But to isolate gold, galamsey workers typically use poisonous mercury, which pollutes drinking water and farmland and has been linked to serious illness and birth defects.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Barnes’ defection further thins a group of linebackers that is losing three key contributors from 2025 in Trey Moore, Liona Lefau and Anthony Hill Jr.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Another prospect is that not all of the cuts materialize — say, the trash fee repeal doesn’t happen — or the field of tax increases thins out, making those that remain more palatable to voters.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Lack of income is a contagion that infects self-worth, confidence and the ability to be present in life.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waters down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waters%20down. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
