dampen

verb

damp·​en ˈdam-pən How to pronounce dampen (audio)
dampened; dampening ˈdamp-niŋ How to pronounce dampen (audio)
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

intransitive verb

1
: to become damp
2
: to become deadened or depressed
dampener
ˈdamp-nər How to pronounce dampen (audio)
ˈdam-pə-
noun

Examples of dampen in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Republicans take Senate, House control remains uncertain 02:24 Although markets have pushed to new highs this year, Wall Street analysts warn that some of Trump's key policy proposals could rekindle U.S. inflation, dampen economic growth and drive up the nation's debt. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2024 Some in the media are choosing to amplify a mad dash to dampen and diminish voter enthusiasm. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 As world governments sought to spend their way out of the pandemic, inflation rose and central banks sharply raised interest rates, dampening equity markets and deflating valuations across the spectrum of private assets. Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Such sentiments are hard to capture in polls but Harris’s enduring avoidance, or, perhaps, lack of imagination, may have dampened much of the enthusiasm about her campaign among many liberal voters. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dampen 

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dampen was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near dampen

Cite this Entry

“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dampen. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dampen

verb
damp·​en ˈdam-pən How to pronounce dampen (audio)
dampened; dampening ˈdamp-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce dampen (audio)
1
: to check or lessen in activity or vigor : deaden
2
: to make or become damp
dampener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dampen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!