WordLens

dampen

1 of 1verb
/ˈdæm.pən/
Forms:dampens,dampening,dampened,dampened
1

to make something slightly wet or moist

transitive
  • She dampened the cloth before wiping the surface.
  • They dampened the soil before planting the seeds.
  • He dampened his hair with water before styling it.
  • The chef dampened the dough with a sprinkle of water.
  • She dampened the sponge before cleaning the spills.
Synonyms:
dampmoistenwash
2

to reduce or decrease the strength, force, or enthusiasm of something

transitive
  • His criticism dampened her enthusiasm for the project.
  • The rain didn’t dampen their excitement for the outdoor concert.
  • The team’s loss dampened the mood at the celebration.
  • The sudden delay dampened their hopes of finishing the race on time.
  • The unexpected turn of events dampened the crowd's enthusiasm.
Synonyms:
stifle
Antonyms:
stimulate
3

to lose energy, strength, or enthusiasm, becoming less lively or more subdued

  • Her excitement dampened when she heard the disappointing news.
  • His mood dampened after the argument with his friend.
  • The crowd's excitement dampened when the concert was delayed.
  • The excitement for the event dampened when it started raining.
  • The atmosphere dampened as the storm approached.
Synonyms:
dampweakenbreaksoften
4

to reduce or stop the movement or vibrations of something

transitive
  • The musician dampened the guitar string to stop the vibration.
  • The rubber pad was used to dampen the oscillation of the motor.
  • He dampened the oscillation of the tuning fork by placing it on a soft surface.
  • The dampener reduced the intensity of the string’s vibrations.
  • The team added a material to dampen the vibrations in the machine’s components.
5

to soften or mute a voice

transitive
  • The teacher dampened her voice during the exam to maintain a quiet environment.
  • He dampened his voice to avoid disturbing the other guests in the library.
  • The sound of the music was dampened by the thick curtains in the room.
  • She dampened her laughter, realizing it was inappropriate for the setting.
  • The echo in the empty hall was dampened by the carpet, creating a more intimate atmosphere.
Synonyms:
dulldampdeadenmuffletone downmute