1
as in to moisten
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
dampen a paper towel with water and use it to clean up the mess
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampen
Light afternoon and evening showers didn't dampen spirits at Willie Nelson's annual picnic at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
The reminder of one of the darkest moments in recent political history did little to dampen Trump’s political euphoria.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
But in May, that front-runner status was dampened a bit.
—Alex Zietlow
july 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2025
Pour out a bit of suede cleaning liquid (or an acid like white vinegar) onto a dry cloth, rubbing it into the shoe’s upper to lightly dampen the affected suede and break apart particle clumps.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
The reminder of one of the darkest moments in recent political history did little to dampen Trump’s political euphoria.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
But in May, that front-runner status was dampened a bit.
—Alex Zietlow
july 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2025
Pour out a bit of suede cleaning liquid (or an acid like white vinegar) onto a dry cloth, rubbing it into the shoe’s upper to lightly dampen the affected suede and break apart particle clumps.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
-
Lightly moisten the rim of your clear glass cup (use water, honey, or a bit of Mash & Mallow).—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Stir egg mixture into flour mixture just until moistened.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
This, together with a higher standard deduction, reduced the number of taxpayers who itemize deductions.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
The maximum $6,000 senior bonus deduction is then reduced by $900 in this example to reach a senior deduction of $5,100.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
And then the leftist media, which is looking to completely undermine our culture and our civilization, and knows that these things turn social norms on their head, pick up these concepts and promote them.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
-
Critics, including the National Head Start Association, warned the move will sow fear and confusion among families and undermine decades of inclusive policy.—
Amanda Castro
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
This may predispose plants to problems like root rot and damping off disease.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
-
Tackling mountain roads was a real treat in this AMG; steering response and weight were solid, and while too stiff in its most hardcore setting, damping made the experience wonderfully engaging and confidence-inspiring.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
The best wrinkle creams on Amazon prove that drugstore prices don't diminish efficacy.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
-
Incentives for the best and brightest foreign science students to come to the U.S. are diminishing at the same time its competitors are increasing their efforts to attract the strongest STEM researchers.—
Marc Zimmer,
The Conversation,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
The first-quarter boom in U.S. trade is weakening, with merchandise trade somewhat atypically declining for the second straight month, according to my analysis of the the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
The June jobs report showed strong headline numbers, but the underlying data pointed to a weakening labor market.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Traditional evaporators don’t work well in wet weather, but this new material stands up much better to wetting and drying, just like the rainforest birds that inspired it.—
Ian Rose,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 June 2025
-
Use a garden hose or power washer to thoroughly wet the rug.—
Karen Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
The Finnish midfielder deadened the ball with a foot and quickly chipped it laterally over nearby defenders.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
-
Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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