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
Use a disinfecting wipe or lightly dampen a microfiber cloth instead of spraying electronics directly.
—
Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Low-cost carriers rely on high customer volume to turn a profit, which has become harder to come by as the war dampens travel demand.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Twomeows/Getty Images The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady once again at its April 2026 meeting has done little to dampen the appeal of deposit accounts.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Instead, the state should focus on smart policies that lower costs for consumers, dampen price volatility and protect our environment.
—Ryan Cummings, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Low-cost carriers rely on high customer volume to turn a profit, which has become harder to come by as the war dampens travel demand.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Twomeows/Getty Images The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady once again at its April 2026 meeting has done little to dampen the appeal of deposit accounts.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Instead, the state should focus on smart policies that lower costs for consumers, dampen price volatility and protect our environment.
—Ryan Cummings, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
-
Slightly moisten the soil around the hydrangea.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
3 May 2026
-
Turn the compost pile, and keep it properly moistened.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
In 1994, American teenager Michael Fay was caned at a Singaporean prison for vandalism, a day after his sentence was reduced from six lashes to four in response to an appeal by President Bill Clinton.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has—unfairly—been reduced to an excuse to drink tequila and eat guac.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Louisiana sued to restrict access to mifepristone, asserting that its availability undermined the ban there.—
Mark Sherman,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
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The Productivity Paradox The cruel irony of America’s sleep deficit is that overwork undermines the output it’s meant to produce.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Applying body lotion to damp skin helps your skin lock in moisture.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Termites are also attracted to damp wood, so drying out your crawl space is critical.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even the most ambitious stories often felt exhausted by the third installment, with diminishing creative and financial returns.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Israel has repeatedly criticized the Lebanese government for not doing enough to diminish Hezbollah’s capabilities.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sprinkle an inch or two on top of the soil, then wet it with a hose to prevent the paper from blowing around.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Blot — don’t rub — and avoid over-wetting the mattress, which can lead to mold growth if moisture gets trapped inside.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Merrill had the same impulse—the need to become a self not necessarily free of all that money could buy but not crippled or deadened by it, either.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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