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
damp·en·er
ˈdam-pə-nər
plural -s
: one that dampens: such as
a
: a device for dampening cloth (as in a laundry)
b
: a worker that dampens articles in preparation for further processing:
(1)
: one that tempers shoe outsoles to facilitate cutting, shaping, and stitching
called also muller
(2)
: one that dampens textiles (as hosiery or cloth) for boarding or ironing
(3)
: one that softens hides in warm water
c
: a device for retarding the oscillations of a spring when a load is suddenly applied or removed
d
: any of the rollers on an offset printing press that convey water to nonprinting areas of the printing surface
Examples of dampen in a Sentence
Verb
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
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
29 June 2026
Late word comes out that SoCal’s Meghan Dizon is sick, forcing their sub Naomi Nguyen into action and really dampening their chances of another big weekend.
—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
That pillowy feeling is thanks to their dreamstrike+ foam, which absorbs shock and dampens the impact of each step—especially important when walking on unforgiving surfaces, like cobblestones or concrete.
—
Shannon Bauer,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Tears suddenly dampen his face.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
But as companies iterate on the technology, RSL Media hopes to minimize concerns that safeguards like its free registry might dampen technological progress through its public-service minded approach and accessible nature.
—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
29 June 2026
Late word comes out that SoCal’s Meghan Dizon is sick, forcing their sub Naomi Nguyen into action and really dampening their chances of another big weekend.
—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
That pillowy feeling is thanks to their dreamstrike+ foam, which absorbs shock and dampens the impact of each step—especially important when walking on unforgiving surfaces, like cobblestones or concrete.
—
Shannon Bauer,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Tears suddenly dampen his face.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dampen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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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