dampen
[dam-puh n]
- to make damp; moisten: to dampen a sponge.
- to dull or deaden; depress: to dampen one's spirits.
- damp(def 10).
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- to become damp.
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Origin of dampen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for dampening
depress, discourage, moderate, mute, inhibit, restrain, chill, curb, diminish, allay, stifle, dull, cloud, cool, dabble, moisten, sprinkle, water, spray, wetExamples from the Web for dampening
Contemporary Examples of dampening
Indeed, Bernanke complained that fiscal policy was dampening growth.
If you think the pill is dampening your sex drive, it might be time to end your relationship with oral contraceptives.
The market for new houses turned down sharply last month, dampening hopes for a rapid recovery.
Historical Examples of dampening
The rain came on just then and perhaps assisted in dampening their ardour.
The Escape of a Princess PatGeorge Pearson
The others were silent, all conscious of a dampening of enthusiasm.
The Girl from the Big Horn CountryMary Ellen Chase
This paper can be used only for dry printing, where it does not require any dampening at all.
The Invention of LithographyAlois Senefelder
Kells always at this hour had a dampening effect upon his followers.
The Border LegionZane Grey
But this, instead of dampening the ardor of the inventor and his aides, only increased it.
The Boy Scouts for Uncle SamJohn Henry Goldfrap
dampen
- to make or become damp
- (tr) to stifle; deaden
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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 dampening
dampen
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper