as in dilutes
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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Recent Examples of waters down
That major hedge is new, and seriously waters down the importance of these two existing constitutional criteria.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Many have complained that having two divisions and two state champions for each classification waters down the playoffs and provides easier paths to the state championship game.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Tech companies are poised for a big win if Europe waters down its digital regulations overhaul and makes compliance voluntary.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The most recent version of the deal waters down a landmark 2021 agreement that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%.
—Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Many have complained that having two divisions and two state champions for each classification waters down the playoffs and provides easier paths to the state championship game.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Tech companies are poised for a big win if Europe waters down its digital regulations overhaul and makes compliance voluntary.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The most recent version of the deal waters down a landmark 2021 agreement that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%.
—Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waters down
Verb
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Cynical congressional map dilutes Black voting power to target a kingmaker.—
Kathleen Parker,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
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The complaint also claims that the image deceives customers into thinking Lipa has endorsed the product and dilutes her brand identity.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The tragic discovery was made by a Union Pacific employee who loads and unloads cargo at the Union Pacific Railroad Port Laredo Intermodal Terminal before trains head north, The New York Timesreported.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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On the plus side, Lexus loads the RX with safety tech.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Coverage of the candidates’ debates underscores a level of political engagement and conflict that cuts against the article’s emphasis on apathy and confusion.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
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As local public transit cuts loom later this year, Kansas City’s bus service will expand this summer, temporarily, to meet higher demand during the FIFA World Cup.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the unceasing churn of clothing, footwear and accessories depletes soils, poisons the water, pollutes the air, drives deforestation, accelerates biodiversity loss and generates runaway planet-warming emissions that undermine brands’ lofty environmental ambitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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Runoff pollutes water used to irrigate crops and provide water for livestock.—
Abraham Nunbogu,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a traditional Japanese handle, a wa-style handle, the tang thins out into a strip of metal that’s completely buried in a cylindrical or octagonal wood handle.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
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Steam thins mucus and eases congestion, per the same PMC/NIH trial.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to PetMD, Salmonella infects the gastrointestinal tract of pets.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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One point public health officials have repeatedly emphasized is that hantavirus normally infects people who come into contact with urine or droppings from infected rats.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waters down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waters%20down. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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