as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of water down
On the other hand, as part of its action plan for EU accession, Ukraine has a detailed to-do list of further reforms, and while several of these are already underway, there are growing concerns that the government may try to water down the agenda.
—
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
The result is a smooth, more concentrated coffee that can be watered down or mixed with milk.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
But the free agent class ended up watered down with top guys re-signing (including target Brock Nelson with the Colorado Avalanche).
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Polis also really wants to water down or delay new artificial intelligence regulations, which are set to take effect in February.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for water down
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
The result is a smooth, more concentrated coffee that can be watered down or mixed with milk.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
But the free agent class ended up watered down with top guys re-signing (including target Brock Nelson with the Colorado Avalanche).
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Polis also really wants to water down or delay new artificial intelligence regulations, which are set to take effect in February.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for water down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for water down
Verb
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Bailouts Government bailouts contribute to monetary debasement via the creation of new money, which dilutes the currency’s value and fuels inflation.—
Alex Pron,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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However, this formula is diluted enough to be safe for use.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just after the Angels handed him a 6-3 lead in the top of the fifth, Farris gave up back-to-back hits and a walk to loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
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The material withstands compressive loads more than 10 times its weight.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The junior wideout slipped loose into the secondary, breaking free for a 51-yard touchdown reception as the Harbormen cut things to a 21-13 game.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
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The Fed may have seen the quarter-point interest rate cut on September 17 as necessary because the labor market is flagging.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The people affected by environmental violations are not just the nearby community, Duggan said, but the workers at polluting facilities as well.—
Taylor Kate Brown,
ProPublica,
17 Sep. 2025
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Rivian also faces opposition from some residents who say the plant is an inappropriate neighbor to farms and will pollute the groundwater.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thousands of multivitamin bottles sold on Amazon and other websites have been recalled over a risk of serious injury or death by poisoning.—
Joel Thayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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During World War II, Husseini became a Nazi collaborator, broadcasting propaganda into the Arab world, touring death camps with his friend Heinrich Himmler, recruiting SS divisions, and hatching a plot to poison Tel Aviv’s water supply.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, once infected, the virus can cause neurological symptoms due to inflammation or damage to the brain or lining of the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Pediatrician medical groups argue delaying this birth dose until one month of life would leave the opportunity for babies to be missed if they are born to a mother infected with the virus or from a close contact soon after birth.—
Sony Salzman,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/water%20down. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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