dampen

[dam-puh n]

See more synonyms for dampen on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to make damp; moisten: to dampen a sponge.
to dull or deaden; depress: to dampen one's spirits.
damp(def 10).

verb (used without object)

to become damp.

Origin of dampen

First recorded in 1620–30; damp + -en¹

Related formsdamp·en·er, nounun·damp·ened, adjective

Can be confuseddamp dampen moist (see synonym study at damp)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for dampen

depress, discourage, moderate, mute, inhibit, restrain, chill, curb, diminish, allay, stifle, dull, cloud, cool, dabble, moisten, sprinkle, water, spray, wet

Examples from the Web for dampen

Contemporary Examples of dampen

Not even the use of Coldplay can dampen the patriotic spirit of this video.
Viral Video of the Day: Go, Team USA, GO!
Alex Chancey
June 26, 2014
Democrats hold an advantage today with female voters that, if maintained, will dampen any potential for a GOP wave in November.
Win Women, Win the Midterms
Kristen Soltis Anderson
April 15, 2014
More importantly, neither Iran-Contra nor impeachment were enough to dampen public affection for either president.
Worst Fifth Year Ever? Maybe. But the Economy Will be the Judge of Obama
Jamelle Bouie
December 18, 2013
Cohen says the NYPD was only trying to dampen the controversy.
NYPD on the Real ‘Enemies Within’: Going Undercover With Jihadis
Michael Daly
September 9, 2013
But its high-profile use for a baby girl is likely to dampen its rise as a boy's name.
North West: Behind Kim and Kanye’s Odd Baby Name Choice
Pamela Redmond Satran/Nameberry, Linda Rosenkrantz
June 21, 2013

Historical Examples of dampen

Not that the thought did anything to dampen the fear which made him weak and dizzy.
Storm Over Warlock
Andre Norton
All the young men were on fire and it was out of the question to dampen their ardour.
Manasseh
Maurus Jokai
He was a child of sunshine, and nothing seemed to dampen the ardor of his spirits.
Behind the Scenes
Elizabeth Keckley
Dampen the hair with soft water at the toilet, and do not use oil.
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners
B.G. Jefferis
But this did not in the least dampen the ardor of this hot-blooded Virginian.
Hanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly
David Bryant Fulton

British Dictionary definitions for dampen

dampen

verb

to make or become damp
(tr) to stifle; deaden

Derived Formsdampener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dampen

1630s, "to dull or deaden" (of force, enthusiasm, ardor, etc.), from damp (adj.) + -en (1). Meaning "to moisten" is recorded from 1827. Related: Dampened; dampening.