1
as in damps
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 reduces
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in undermines
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 dampens
Luckily for them, the Carolina Panthers have even further to go on defense, which dampens the exciting second half of the season produced by QB Bryce Young and the offense.
—
Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Persistently high unemployment in California not only strains unemployment insurance and social services but also dampens consumer confidence, posing risks to the stability of the nation's largest state economy.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Persistently high unemployment in California not only strains unemployment insurance and social services but also dampens consumer confidence, posing risks to the stability of the nation's largest state economy.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampens
Verb
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This not only reinforces clarity, but also reduces the reliance on employees having to scribble notes word for word to decode later.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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But prorating three years of player profits down to 12 months, as UEFA’s rule does, reduces the immediate efficacy of successful trading in the market, the very strategy that poorer clubs increasingly rely on to climb the ladder.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cherry-picking statistics to suit a narrative — a form of confirmation bias, as described in the commission’s view — is dangerous and undermines the diligence that should come from responsible statistical analysis.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Going back further undermines those comparisons.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Heavy rainfall will be possible from the thunderstorms later today as the atmosphere moistens.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This etching makes a countertop easily stain and dulls the surface.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
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Unfortunately, jet lag dulls the Bolts’ spark in a close battle that ends in a Fins win.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Beyond 100 people, culture often fragments, communication distorts and the founder’s vision weakens.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the shoreline’s clarity diminishes, Berry stressed the importance of this research for conservation efforts, especially doing it collaboratively.—
Amelia Wu,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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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,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The whole ordeal exhausts the mother turtle.—
Taylor Hagood,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
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The idea of festivals just exhausts me.—
Meg Zukin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Cowboys fans hoping the team flushes Dak, the way the Denver Broncos did with Russell Wilson, are better off hoping for a Texas snow storm in July.—
Mac Engel
September 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
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Its self-cleaning cycle flushes the dirty water tank and removes debris from the vacuum brush.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampens. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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