dampen
Americanverb (used with object)
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dampens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
dampened,
past participle, past
-
dampening
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
dampens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
dampened,
past participle, past
-
dampening
present participle
verb
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to make or become damp
-
(tr) to stifle; deaden
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
dampensimple
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dampenssimple
-
have dampenedperfect
-
has dampenedperfect
-
am dampeningprogressive
-
are dampeningprogressive
-
is dampeningprogressive
-
have been dampeningperfect progressive
-
has been dampeningperfect progressive
Past
-
dampenedsimple
-
had dampenedperfect
-
was dampeningprogressive
-
were dampeningprogressive
-
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
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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.
See Examples For:
That could indicate that the presence of other compounds in the body might dampen free radical creation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
It hopes to dampen the speculation that would surround Borthwick if the end of his contract was tied to that of England's World Cup campaign.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
But “owning the value space,” including financial stocks, may help dampen some of the volatility stirred up in the “AI complex,” he added.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 29, 2026
Although investors appear to be uneasy about the leak, some analysts don’t think it will dampen sales of the game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
Sweat began to dampen his forehead and drip down the sides of his face.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
The likely absence of a Chinese corporate delegation dampens expectations for major business deals between the world’s two biggest economies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
"To understand whether thawing permafrost ultimately amplifies or dampens climate warming, we need to consider both the carbon released from ancient soils and the carbon consumed through rock weathering."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026
Higher fuel prices also add to inflation, which in turn dampens odds of an interest-rate cut.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
“What the shingles vaccine does is it dampens reactivations of latent viruses in a way that may be protecting other parts of your body,” Martin said.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2025
This dampens the tragic effect, and the curtain comes down on laughter.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
The U.S. dollar fell after weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data dampened expectations for another interest-rate rise by the Federal Reserve later this month.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
However, the lure of signing foreign talent will be dampened by the removal of club injury credit, which helps cover the cost of replacing an injured player.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Seeing his place in its current state has dampened his spirits but not his determination to rebuild.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
And once the fire is dampened down, the habitats needed to support fragile ecosystems are lost, sometimes for decades, Craig Best - National Trust general manager for the Peak District - said.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
The tearoom’s dampened gas lamps and forest green walls gave the establishment a cave-like feel.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
The satire earned only $8 million in the U.S. opening weekend, dampening the star’s best-actor prospects.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
"By using vitamin D analogs to engage the body's own natural system for dampening fibrotic and inflammatory responses, we can enable other therapies to do their job."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026
West Midlands Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Barry told residents the fire there was under control and they were just dampening down hot spots.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
All of this could eventually create problems for the stock market by dampening economic growth, Rosenberg said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
“Oh, right,” Sahil said, his mood dampening noticeably as we made our way through the crowd and the noise.
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
