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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dampen
What the economy is now experiencing, partially a result of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies dampening economic growth forecasts and renewing concerns about inflation, is unlikely to prompt Fed officials to so much as whisper stagflation to one another.
—
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
Following several years during which higher central bank base rates and macroeconomic uncertainty have dampened economic sentiment, optimism is returning and M&A activity is expected to increase.
—Julien Villemonteix, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Using a cloth that has been dampened with warm water, remove the remaining shaving cream.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
This will dampen America’s initiative and destroy the culture of varied opinions, lively debate and healthy dissent that facilitates the best national security outcomes.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
Following several years during which higher central bank base rates and macroeconomic uncertainty have dampened economic sentiment, optimism is returning and M&A activity is expected to increase.
—Julien Villemonteix, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Using a cloth that has been dampened with warm water, remove the remaining shaving cream.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
This will dampen America’s initiative and destroy the culture of varied opinions, lively debate and healthy dissent that facilitates the best national security outcomes.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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Here and Now Agency/paul vu Music schools can be brutal places, suffused with envy and moistened by tears.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
13 Mar. 2025
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Southern California News Group contributor Cathy Thomas has a recipe for Colcannon, a rustic dish of mashed potatoes moistened with milk and butter and mixed with cabbage and onions.—
Emily St. Martin,
Orange County Register,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Standardization can also reduce due diligence burdens.—
The Sorenson Impact Institute,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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This has, among other losses, reduced Egyptian revenue from the Suez Canal by about eight hundred million dollars a month.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The talks are set to take place amid concerns that the Kremlin is weaponizing ceasefire negotiations to delay and undermine negotiations for a settlement to the war.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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You will be expected to trust your agents, for the alternative would be micromanagement, and that would undermine the whole process.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While those dynamics may be gone, the new car offers adaptive damping suspension and rear-axle steering that prioritize handling—and that’s to say nothing of AMG’s wonderful signature handmade V-8 engine.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
11 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2025
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Overcoming The Fear Of Letting Go One of the biggest reasons leaders avoid delegating is fear that the work will not be done right, mistakes will happen or their value will be diminished.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His health weakened by overwork and physical ailments, McCombs spent much of the last months of his life under medical care.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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The doctor added that recovery would best continue away from the hospital, where exposure to viruses risks weakening the Holy Father's condition.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Although scattered rain showers are expected to track across western North Carolina later this morning, this will not be enough of a wetting rain to bring relief to dry fuels.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2025
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To start, wet your hands with water, then apply enough soap to cover your hands and rub them against each other.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 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 2 Apr. 2025.
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