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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampen
Unfortunately, dampening the occasion somewhat, it isn’t being played in host country Pakistan due to India’s strict government stance.
—
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
The Knicks didn’t let the absence of their star dampen their play.
—Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
There was no admission and no official attendance, but a blustery day did nothing to dampen the size and enthusiasm of a crowd that fans believe was similar in size to last year’s Fans Fest.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2025
Embiid’s absence further dampens the Sixers’ chances at sneaking into the Play-In Tournament.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
The Knicks didn’t let the absence of their star dampen their play.
—Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
There was no admission and no official attendance, but a blustery day did nothing to dampen the size and enthusiasm of a crowd that fans believe was similar in size to last year’s Fans Fest.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2025
Embiid’s absence further dampens the Sixers’ chances at sneaking into the Play-In Tournament.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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How To Clean White Kitchen Cabinets With Vinegar And Baking Soda Stuck-on grease and stains can be removed with a baking soda paste by following these steps: Pour a small amount of baking soda into a bowl and just enough vinegar to moisten it.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2025
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Stir in the lemon peel, lemon juice, salt, and enough of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These layoffs reduced staffing at some local weather forecast offices to threadbare levels, causing some to reduce their services.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
17 Mar. 2025
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Although reducing the property tax burden could provide significant benefits to business owners and homeowners, there’s no guarantee that landlords would pass those savings on to their tenants.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Make no mistake—undermining our basic freedoms and pulling funding from schools will not address the real problem of antisemitism and will certainly not help students receive an education.—
Maggie Siddiqi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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This approach would hide the true impact on taxpayers, undermine Senate rules against increasing deficits, and further harm the U.S. fiscal position.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The recent fires in Southern California probably have also damped the mood in Hollywood, which was already dour because of an ongoing financial retrenchment.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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In music, attenuation is comparable to damping a tone, which produces a lower volume, Deuss said.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The intense criticism of the COVID response has left a lingering public distrust in health and diminished their influence.—
Tina Reed,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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The seeming smallness of the story does nothing to diminish the film’s bleakness nor blunt its ultimately devastating impact.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Signing Verdugo now would give the Yankees one less option to fill the Stanton void and weaken their lineup even more.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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Consumers are already losing confidence and pulling back on spending, weakening a key engine of the economy.—
Axios,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Firefighters instead tried to aim water right into the back of the garbage truck without wetting the CNG cylinders nearby on the roof.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
20 Feb. 2025
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Hertz and his men moved behind the restaurant, trying to wet the ground and tearing down a fence that would just provide more fuel to the fire.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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America’s morning television brightens the day but deadens the soul.—
Joel Golby,
airmail.news,
5 Oct. 2024
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One way of deadening the mind to distractions is by blowing opponents off the court.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
5 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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