dampen
verb
damp·en ˈdam-pən 
dampened; dampening ˈdamp-niŋ
ˈdam-pə-
transitive verb
1
: to check or diminish the activity or vigor of : deaden
the heat dampened our spirits
2
: to make damp
the shower barely dampened the ground
3
: damp sense 1c
intransitive verb
1
: to become damp
2
: to become deadened or depressed
dampener
ˈdamp-nər
noun ˈdam-pə-
Synonyms
- bedew
- damp
- moisten
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Dampen the spot with a wet cloth. The shower barely dampened the ground. We wouldn't let the bad weather dampen our excitement.
Recent Examples on the Web The rollout of highly effective vaccines and treatments have helped dampen rates of hospitalization and death and decouple them from the number of infections. 
Robert Hart, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Waiting until the heating element is completely cool, take a cloth and dampen it with warm soapy water. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 Researchers in Warsaw, Poland, wrote in a 2018 study that green tram tracks not only cool the surrounding area by evaporating stored rainwater, but also dampen noise and are well-received by the public. Wired, 31 July 2022 Not done with fighting inflation, central banks are expected to continue pushing up the cost of borrowing, which would make corporate investments more expensive and dampen demand for companies’ products and services. New York Times, 29 July 2022 The mortgage boycott could cause rising bad loans at banks and dampen the sentiment further in the property sector, according to analysts. Laura He, CNN, 22 July 2022 Then, dampen a non-scratch sponge with vinegar, sprinkle with baking soda, and scrub. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 The tax provisions – such as imposing a minimum corporate tax rate – will dampen investment and diminish economic growth. Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Sony acknowledged the slowdown in shipments may dampen the momentum of game players' interest in PlayStation 5. Yuri Kageyama, ajc, 29 July 2022 See More
Robert Hart, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Waiting until the heating element is completely cool, take a cloth and dampen it with warm soapy water. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 Researchers in Warsaw, Poland, wrote in a 2018 study that green tram tracks not only cool the surrounding area by evaporating stored rainwater, but also dampen noise and are well-received by the public. Wired, 31 July 2022 Not done with fighting inflation, central banks are expected to continue pushing up the cost of borrowing, which would make corporate investments more expensive and dampen demand for companies’ products and services. New York Times, 29 July 2022 The mortgage boycott could cause rising bad loans at banks and dampen the sentiment further in the property sector, according to analysts. Laura He, CNN, 22 July 2022 Then, dampen a non-scratch sponge with vinegar, sprinkle with baking soda, and scrub. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 The tax provisions – such as imposing a minimum corporate tax rate – will dampen investment and diminish economic growth. Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Sony acknowledged the slowdown in shipments may dampen the momentum of game players' interest in PlayStation 5. Yuri Kageyama, ajc, 29 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
dampen
verb
damp·en ˈdam-pən
dampened; dampening
1
: to make or become slightly wet
Please dampen this washcloth.
2
: to make dull or less active
A bad start didn't dampen our confidence.
dampen
verb
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
Relevance
- moisten
- damp
- wet
- flush
- bedew
- rinse
- wash
- saturate
- douse
- soak
- drench
- water
- impregnate
- bathe
- humidify
- immerse
- steep
- refresh
- lave
- dip
- irrigate
- immerge
- dunk
- rehydrate
- souse
- dowse
- remoisten
- sluice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dry
- scorch
- dehydrate
- desiccate
- sear
- parch
- dehumidify
2
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling the oppressive heat dampened our spirits Synonyms & Similar Words
- reduce
- deaden
- diminish
- weaken
- dull
- damp
- blunt
- subside
- numb
- decrease
- subdue
- cauterize
- benumb
- muffle
- alleviate
- ease
- lessen
- mute
- debilitate
- lighten
- enfeeble
- wane
- lower
- moderate
- recede
- dwindle
- tone (down)
- abate
- let up (on)
- taper (off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enhance
- sharpen
- intensify
- strengthen
- augment
- amplify
- heighten
- stimulate
- deepen
- consolidate
- boost
- arouse
- magnify
- whet
- step up
- redouble
- beef (up)
- animate
3
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality nothing could dampen their enthusiasm Synonyms & Similar Words
- undermine
- weaken
- deaden
- drain
- exhaust
- damp
- enervate
- petrify
- wear
- discourage
- castrate
- desiccate
- dehydrate
- devitalize
- lobotomize
- debilitate
- fatigue
- geld
- sap
- enfeeble
- burn out
- daunt
- wear out
- dishearten
- dispirit
- demoralize
- tucker (out)
- do in
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stimulate
- invigorate
- energize
- enliven
- arouse
- rouse
- stir
- quicken
- vitalize
- vivify
- excite
- provoke
- galvanize
- brace
- incite
- inflame
- lift
- electrify
- spark
- inspire
- charge
- foment
- boost
- instigate
- cheer
- embolden
- fortify
- trigger
- revive
- fire
- ferment
- hearten
- renew
- kindle
- rekindle
- enflame
- whip (up)
- revitalize
- refresh
- rejuvenate
- reawaken
- buoy
- resurrect
- reactivate
- abet
- regenerate
- resuscitate
- reenergize
- recharge
- reanimate
- reawake