dampen

American  

[dam-puhn] / ˈdæm pən /

verb (used with object)

1. to make damp; moisten.

   to dampen a sponge.

2. to dull or deaden; depress.

   to dampen one's spirits.

3. damp.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become damp.

dampen British  

/ ˈdæmpən /

verb

1. to make or become damp

2. (tr) to stifle; deaden

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Other Word Forms

• dampener noun
• undampened adjective

Etymology

Origin of dampen

First recorded in 1620–30; damp + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Worldwide shipments are expected to fall a historic 12% this year, according to Counterpoint, a tech-market researcher, with heightened component costs driving up prices and dampening consumer spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

A somber quiet fell over the woods, dampening the sound of the rushing river behind them.

From Literature

Portfolio flows remained negative in March, with around $12.5 billion in outflows, as geopolitical uncertainty dampened global risk appetite.

From The Wall Street Journal

Xiaomeng Lu, a director at political consultancy Eurasia Group, says mainland Chinese tech firms are "shifting to Hong Kong" for their primary share listing as "geopolitical headwinds dampen their dreams" to float in New York.

From BBC

“With limited new supply entering the market, the buffer that initially dampened price spikes is rapidly eroding.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• allay
• chill
• cloud
• cool
• curb
• depress
• diminish
• discourage
• dull
• inhibit
• moderate
• mute
• restrain
• stifle