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
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Recent Examples of dampening
Notably, recent economic indicators mark the first contraction in consumer spending in two years, sending ripples throughout the airline industry and dampening investor sentiment.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
There are new fears about an outbreak of red tide dampening the winter tourism season.
—Jennifer Reed, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The administration’s antitrust cops have kept in place Biden era merger rules, dampening hopes for a deal resurgence.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Compounding these issues, the economic slowdown in China, a critical market for Apple, is dampening sales further.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025
Additionally, the housing market is grappling with high mortgage rates that continue to restrict the pool of prospective homebuyers—dampening demand for new residential construction.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Storms raged at last year’s festival, dampening the fun.
—Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
For one, rising tariffs would likely slow economic growth, dampening inflation as consumers and businesses pare spending.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2025
In the Florida Keys, for example, extreme ocean temperatures have helped wipe out coral reefs, a critical structure for dampening waves that flood coastal communities during hurricanes.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
There are new fears about an outbreak of red tide dampening the winter tourism season.
—Jennifer Reed, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The administration’s antitrust cops have kept in place Biden era merger rules, dampening hopes for a deal resurgence.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Compounding these issues, the economic slowdown in China, a critical market for Apple, is dampening sales further.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025
Additionally, the housing market is grappling with high mortgage rates that continue to restrict the pool of prospective homebuyers—dampening demand for new residential construction.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Storms raged at last year’s festival, dampening the fun.
—Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
For one, rising tariffs would likely slow economic growth, dampening inflation as consumers and businesses pare spending.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2025
In the Florida Keys, for example, extreme ocean temperatures have helped wipe out coral reefs, a critical structure for dampening waves that flood coastal communities during hurricanes.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampening
Verb
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These chatbots can resolve common employee queries, automate ticket routing and provide 24/7 assistance, reducing dependency on support staff.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Studies show these reforms—reducing minimum parking requirements, legalizing ADUs, and simplifying permitting processes—resulted in more housing.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This subjectivity can lead to inconsistencies in how the rule is applied, potentially undermining the fairness of the game.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Critics argue that billionaire owners could censor critical commentary, undermining journalism's role in holding power accountable.—
Flynn Nicholls,
Newsweek,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Making sure the steaks have been fully thawed and brought to room temperature is the first crucial step for most people, but others have memories of their parents or grandparents rinsing steak in the sink, or perhaps soaking it in water, before the prep work begins.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
22 Dec. 2024
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Massage it into your scalp for a minute and work the formula through your middle and ends when rinsing it out.—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The tires also contain a sound-deadening foam that contributes to the Optiq’s quiet cabin.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Here was an invention no one had asked for, that promised to upend perfectly good industries while further deadening the American intellect and locking in place the political biases of post-Covid Biden-crats.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The establishment did not have proper hand-washing facilities for employees.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Jan. 2025
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The establishment had health hazards including raw food stored over cooked food, inadequate hand-washing facilities, expired food items and a lack of food-handler certifications.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
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After his round, the Irishman did not tolerate the media diminishing his spot in the tournament.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dampening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampening. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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