1
as in damping
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 reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of dampening
But a shortage of foreign workers is dampening the mood.
—
ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
That change has brought layoffs and smaller travel budgets, both dampening San Jose’s conference and convention recovery, Bellisario said.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The rebound in the dollar could be dampening the appeal of gold.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
After each set of waves, the control room would repeat the test, only with the turbulence-dampening software turned on this time.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Currently, some of Europe’s best basketball teams (including Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko and Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus) aren’t connected to its largest media markets, dampening ubiquitous continental interest in the sport and lowering its television value.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Rubbing Alcohol Rivera recommends dampening a cleaning cloth with rubbing alcohol and using it to remove sticker residue and tape lines from glass, metal, and plastic surfaces since the alcohol evaporates quickly.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
But with inflation dampening consumer spending and fewer Americans dining out, her earnings and tips took a dive.
—Kody Boye, Ascend Agency, 17 Feb. 2026
The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
That change has brought layoffs and smaller travel budgets, both dampening San Jose’s conference and convention recovery, Bellisario said.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The rebound in the dollar could be dampening the appeal of gold.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
After each set of waves, the control room would repeat the test, only with the turbulence-dampening software turned on this time.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Currently, some of Europe’s best basketball teams (including Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko and Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus) aren’t connected to its largest media markets, dampening ubiquitous continental interest in the sport and lowering its television value.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Rubbing Alcohol Rivera recommends dampening a cleaning cloth with rubbing alcohol and using it to remove sticker residue and tape lines from glass, metal, and plastic surfaces since the alcohol evaporates quickly.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
But with inflation dampening consumer spending and fewer Americans dining out, her earnings and tips took a dive.
—Kody Boye, Ascend Agency, 17 Feb. 2026
The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
-
This peripheral features silent key switches with additional sound-damping material in the chassis, as well as dedicated shortcut keys and a volume knob.—
Aubrey Jowers,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The only change here, though, is that the KB399 gets more suspension adjustment than the Kawasaki, thanks to preload and damping adjusters.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
By influencing two metabolic pathways, both medications may similarly improve blood sugar control while also reducing appetite.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That’s a barrier, undermining the very mission of the Endowment, which in recent years has made significant investments to expand access to high-quality care for Nutmeg State families of diverse backgrounds.—
Josette Walters,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Accordingly, the warring factions have competed to depict themselves as the true embodiment of MAGA and paint their rivals as undermining Trump or deviating from his precepts.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
When cleaning your upholstered headboard, avoid over-wetting it.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Also, consumers often don’t receive all of the savings, blunting some of the financial and political purposes of the holiday.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
-
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seniors are the most reliable midterm voters in the country, and with the 2026 elections approaching and affordability already their top concern, weakening this program is a risk Republicans should not be taking.—
Joe Hardy,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
However, rejecting the goal of citizenship verification altogether risks weakening public confidence in the system.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soften turf by moistening the lawn a day or two before removal and use a sharp space to cut small sections.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Your nose is better at warming and moistening the cold, dry air than your mouth.—
Susan Russell,
Verywell Health,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At Source puts seven years of joint practice and mutual magnetism to tape without dulling the dynamic buzz of their live sets.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Also, don't store beans or ground coffee in the refrigerator—the coffee may absorb moisture and odors, dulling its flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
