dampened; dampening
ˈdamp-niŋ 
ˈdam-pə-
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
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
That lack of housing, according to Carroll, has the effect of holding back household formation and dampening economic activity.
—
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Does having the glorious title of cleanup specialist help your software development career or dampen it?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water on stainless steel or enamel kettles.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Protests across the city and in suburbs have pushed back on the recent influx of agents, which appeared to dampen Mexican Independence Day celebrations last weekend, and immigration arrests were reported across the region early this week.
—Jake Sheridan, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
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Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Does having the glorious title of cleanup specialist help your software development career or dampen it?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water on stainless steel or enamel kettles.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Protests across the city and in suburbs have pushed back on the recent influx of agents, which appeared to dampen Mexican Independence Day celebrations last weekend, and immigration arrests were reported across the region early this week.
—Jake Sheridan, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dampen. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dampen
verb
damp·en
ˈdam-pən
dampened; dampening
ˈdamp-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to check or lessen in activity or vigor : deaden
2
: to make or become damp
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