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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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
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
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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
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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
Verb
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Montgomery County loads up on snacks and dessert to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary.—
Kim Hudson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Brandon builds a fire, loads the smoker with hot charcoal, puts the pig in, and then pulls the tenderloin only a few hours into the cooking process; Sieger puts the pig in first, then gently raises the temperature, and does not pull the tenderloin separately.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mikal Bridges cuts from the top of the 3-point line under the rim, forcing the closest big man, Jakob Poeltl, to make a decision.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Like Xcel Energy, PG&E cuts the electricity when conditions are ripe for wildfires.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The debris ultimately enters storm drains and the adjacent river, which pollutes our shoreline and environment.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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Fertilizer runoff pollutes water sources and fuels toxic algae blooms.—
Frank Morris,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
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The Rangers will need to carry Baumler on the major league roster for the entire season, or send him back to the Baltimore Orioles, which thins some of their flexibility.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
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Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waters down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waters%20down. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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