dampen

verb

Pronunciation: ˈdæmpən

Definition

To make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or activity less strong or intense.

Examples

• You should dampen the cloth before wiping the dusty surface.

• The sudden drop in sales served to dampen the company's optimism for the quarter.

• Heavy fog seemed to dampen the sound of the distant traffic.

How to Use dampen

dampen someone's spirits (idiom)

to make someone feel less happy or enthusiastic — "The bad news really dampened our spirits."

dampen the effect of (collocation)

to reduce the impact of something — "The new regulations helped to dampen the effect of the market crash."

Synonyms of dampen

Words with a similar meaning to dampen:

• wet
• moisten
• soothe
• mitigate
• stifle

Antonyms of dampen

Words with the opposite meaning to dampen:

• dry
• intensify

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