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
George Kittle's season was over, a torn right Achilles tendon for the star tight end that dampened the mood in a playoff win that kept the San Francisco 49ers in the hunt for a Super Bowl.
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CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Despite the rainy downpour at the 2010 Golden Globes, nothing could dampen Aniston's star power that night.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Once the product has had a chance to soak in, blot the area with a towel dampened with water to remove any residue.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
That can dampen rent hikes when tenants are monetarily insecure.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
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If the paper towel dries out, re-moisten it with a spray bottle.—
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Mix just until everything is moistened—the batter will look lumpy and that’s a good thing.—
Verb
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During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
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To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Verb
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The video evidence also appears to undermine elements of the government’s narrative of what happened.—
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Environmental and labor leaders say the pause is costing thousands of jobs and undermining energy independence.—
Verb
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Ride quality is another major focus of the Buick Electra E7, which is equipped with a pre-emptive RTD continuously variable damping suspension system designed to adapt in real time to changing road conditions.—
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For 28 member of China’s astronaut corps, the brave new world is a dark, damp hole in the ground — cut off from light, wind, and even the internet.—
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
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Kaufman moved there 30 years ago, and since that time the island’s community has diminished by degrees, its youth lured away by better employment prospects in Provo and overseas.—
Verb
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Evergreen branches bent under the weight of snow are already weakened; sweeping down the length of the branch toward the ground adds to the stress and increases the potential for breakage.—
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These policies impose devastating costs on American citizens, weakening our economy, increasing the national debt, straining public budgets and tearing families apart.—
Verb
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Now add a blob of water, wetting some of the sand.—
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For suede boots, wet the entire surface with the vinegar and water solution to help keep the color even.—
Verb
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Both nationally and in Minnesota , there has been a shift away from intelligent discussion of public policy to endless partisan warfare with a deadening impact on the public.—
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Our default options provide shelter for a fraction of those who need it and at the same time deaden streets, crowd the sky, and anger neighbors.—
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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