dampen

American

[dam-puhn] / ˈdæm pən /

verb (used with object)

to make damp; moisten.

to dampen a sponge.
to dull or deaden; depress.

to dampen one's spirits.
damp.

verb (used without object)

to become damp.

dampen British

/ ˈdæmpən /

verb

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

"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

Other Word Forms

dampener noun
undampened adjective

Etymology

Origin of dampen

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

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.

It is expected to boost inflation through higher gasoline prices but also to dampen growth as consumers see a decline in discretionary spending power.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

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 • Mar. 29, 2026

“Tightening monetary policy in response to a short-lived disruption would only dampen growth without materially improving near-term inflation outcomes,” Breman added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The increased cash flow is likely to bolster consumer spending in the year’s first half, although higher oil prices and sluggish tax processing could dampen some of the gains.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Holmes and the Williams sisters waited hours for their turn to board one of the northbound trains, but the wait did nothing to dampen their spirits.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023