dampen
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to make or become damp
-
(tr) to stifle; deaden
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
dampensimple
-
dampenssimple
-
have dampenedperfect
-
has dampenedperfect
-
am dampeningprogressive
-
are dampeningprogressive
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is dampeningprogressive
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have been dampeningperfect progressive
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has been dampeningperfect progressive
Past
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dampenedsimple
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had dampenedperfect
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was dampeningprogressive
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were dampeningprogressive
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had been dampeningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of dampen
Explanation
To dampen something is to stifle it, to lessen its effect, or to moisten it. Getting a cold will dampen your enthusiasm. This word has several related meanings, most of which make something less effective or powerful. Using a towel will dampen it in the sense of getting it wet, but dampening goes beyond things that are damp (wet). Bad news will dampen your mood, bringing it down. Boxing gloves dampen the force of punches because they cushion the blows. Anything dampened has been weakened and brought down a notch.
Vocabulary lists containing dampen
Out of the Dust
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Undefeated
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lineage has wrapped portions of the building with a temporary material that’s meant to contain debris, reduce odors and dampen noise during the remediation process.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026
The clandestine arrangements have done little to dampen enthusiasm.
From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026
The possibility “is causing investors to consider whether incremental compute supply may dampen the data center buildout,” Luria said in emailed comments, adding that Meta is a top five customer for computing power.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
As a result, remote work doesn’t just dampen young employees’ day-to-day experience.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026
At his awkward attempts to dampen some gauze with the solution, Roza clucked her tongue and did it for him.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
