dampen

[ dam-puhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make damp; moisten:

   to dampen a sponge.

2. to dull or deaden; depress:

   to dampen one's spirits.

3. damp ( def 11 ).

verb (used without object)

1. to become damp.

dampen

/ ˈdæmpən /

verb

1. to make or become damp
2. tr to stifle; deaden

Derived Forms

• ˈdampener, noun

Other Words From

• dampen·er noun
• un·dampened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dampen¹

First recorded in 1620–30; damp + -en ¹

Example Sentences

The platforms have started trying to dampen the influence of QAnon, particularly after it began to intersect with pandemic conspiracy theories.

From MIT Technology Review

Accident or vandalism, it does not dampen your mood, though you instruct yourself to take the car to the shop in the coming days.

From MIT Technology Review

Lower seismic frequencies tend to be more heavily influenced by oceans and weather, Lecocq says, and signals with higher frequencies tend to be more easily absorbed and dampened by the sediments they pass through.

From Science News

When you’re sensing something from internally, then it dampens down processing of external signals.

From Quanta Magazine

Influenza, for example, dampens each enough to replicate and move to another host, but not so much that a person can’t eventually clear the infection.

From Science News

Not even the use of Coldplay can dampen the patriotic spirit of this video.

From The Daily Beast

Democrats hold an advantage today with female voters that, if maintained, will dampen any potential for a GOP wave in November.

From The Daily Beast

But the lack of celebrity didn't dampen the enthusiasm for these examples of cinematic tragedy.

From The Daily Beast

More importantly, neither Iran-Contra nor impeachment were enough to dampen public affection for either president.

From The Daily Beast

Cohen says the NYPD was only trying to dampen the controversy.

From The Daily Beast

But Most's attitude toward me will influence them: it will dampen their enthusiasm, and thus react on the propaganda.

From Project Gutenberg

Sprinkle some fine lake sand over the glass, dampen the sand and rub the smooth edge of the iron band over the glass.

From Project Gutenberg

Dampen the reed frequently while weaving it, as the weavers pack down much closer when wet.

From Project Gutenberg

She decided not to dampen the children's good spirits that evening with the discouraging news in the letter.

From Project Gutenberg

The doctor's fever was at its very worst, but that did not dampen my hopes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allay
• chill
• cloud
• cool
• curb
• depress
• diminish
• discourage
• dull
• inhibit
• moderate
• mute
• restrain
• stifle