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
That major hedge is new, and seriously waters down the importance of these two existing constitutional criteria.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
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
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
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
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As such, Friedkin’s film has taken on a social-history aspect that dilutes its toxicity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
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Cynical congressional map dilutes Black voting power to target a kingmaker.—
Kathleen Parker,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Their body care kit gets to the root of smooth skin with a trio of products including a pre-sluff bar that rids it of lotions and oils, a washable textured mitt that sloughs off dead cells and a eucalyptus-scented body lotion that loads it with hydration while making your bathroom smell like a spa.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
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Utilities need confidence that loads requesting hundreds of megawatts of capacity will actually materialize and remain economically viable.—
Anna Broughel,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Patrick Stewart, leader of the city’s library foundation, said Friday that cuts to libraries dramatically affect neighborhoods partly because libraries host so many cultural events.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
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Full-back Max Arfsten drifts into the space that Pulisic has just vacated, while Tim Ream cuts inside and finds him with a direct pass, providing the platform for a quick attack.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the unceasing churn of clothing, footwear and accessories depletes soils, poisons the water, pollutes the air, drives deforestation, accelerates biodiversity loss and generates runaway planet-warming emissions that undermine brands’ lofty environmental ambitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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Runoff pollutes water used to irrigate crops and provide water for livestock.—
Abraham Nunbogu,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Take it to semiannual and quoting their shares becomes guesswork; spreads widen, depth thins, and some market makers simply step away.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Instead a galaxy’s distribution of stars thins out farther from the center.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Powdery mildew fungi are host-specific, meaning each fungal species only infects specific plant species.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 May 2026
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Orthoebolaviruses are also known to cause hemorrhagic fever, in which the virus infects specific immune cells, triggering a massive inflammatory response that can lead to internal bleeding and organ failure.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waters down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waters%20down. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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