as in adulterated
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as in diluted
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of watered-down
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Most experts recommend a solution of watered down rubbing alcohol as an effective and safe stain remover for quartz countertops.
—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
29 June 2026
The field would be watered down, the traditionalists protested.
—
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
But there may be more hoops to jump through to qualify for the pre-order deal, or it may be watered down, Lanzuk claims.
—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
But consumer advocates watch with dismay as some of those ideas are gutted or watered down.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
21 June 2026
The bill was watered down after its sponsors, under pressure from the gambling companies and their lobbyists, struck a provision that would have banned all proposition bets.
—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language.
—
Annie Waldman,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
Adjective
In the decades since, silencing of even that watered-down (if in some ways more accurate) term has been linked to fossil fuel companies suppressing science to boost profits.
—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Critics argue the language was watered down during negotiations and intense lobbying from the platforms, reducing its impact on the biggest players.
—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Most experts recommend a solution of watered down rubbing alcohol as an effective and safe stain remover for quartz countertops.
—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
29 June 2026
The field would be watered down, the traditionalists protested.
—
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
But there may be more hoops to jump through to qualify for the pre-order deal, or it may be watered down, Lanzuk claims.
—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
But consumer advocates watch with dismay as some of those ideas are gutted or watered down.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
21 June 2026
The bill was watered down after its sponsors, under pressure from the gambling companies and their lobbyists, struck a provision that would have banned all proposition bets.
—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Three federal health employees later told me political appointees had watered down the original language.
—
Annie Waldman,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watered-down
Adjective
-
Navarro, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in August, was sentenced Friday in Manhattan by federal Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil for being part of a conspiracy to distribute and administer adulterated and misbranded drugs for racehorses.
Verb
-
Little to no ice is needed in this case, so the drink isn’t diluted; instead, it’s packed with fruit flavor.
-
By the time everything converges, the original opportunity has been diluted by handoffs rather than sharpened through genuine collaboration.
Verb
-
The implosion came in the third inning when Manaea loaded the bases with two outs, with the Mets already down 1-0.
-
Webb allowed three straight singles following McCarthy’s homer, then walked a batter with the bases loaded to gift the Rockies their second run.
Verb
-
If people do get infected, antiviral treatments like oseltamivir already exist and vaccines could follow if cases rise.
-
Most norovirus outbreaks occur when people who are already infected spread the virus to others by direct means, such as through sharing food or utensils.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
-
Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Cite this Entry
“Watered-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watered-down. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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