water down

verb

watered down; watering down; waters down

transitive verb

: to reduce or temper the force or effectiveness of
watered down the plan
watered-down adjective

Examples of water down in a Sentence

watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The release of waters down the Kaweah and Tule rivers is now over. Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025 The fear is that even if the report is eventually published, its impact could be watered down without the government's involvement or endorsement. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025 In response, the county watered down the permit application requirements and approved the factory farm once again. Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025 Criticism flows after Trump’s water release order Early Friday morning, two dams in Tulare County started sending massive amounts of water down river channels toward the San Joaquin Valley. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for water down 

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water down was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near water down

Cite this Entry

“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20down. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on water down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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