dampen
verb (used with object)
was dampening
-
past progressiveof dampen.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In a wide-ranging interview, he also said the UK government needed to get on and start infrastructure projects now and warned that uncertainty over US policy was dampening firms' "animal spirit".
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2025
Analysts polled by Reuters had on average forecast a year-on-year rise of 1% after H&M flagged in late March that cold weather was dampening demand for spring and summer styles.
From Reuters ● Jun. 15, 2023
U.S. existing home sales fell to a fresh two-year low in July, further evidence that the Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy tightening campaign was dampening demand for housing, although home price levels remain high.
From Reuters ● Aug. 19, 2022
One major difference, though: in “Boys,” it was encroaching age and self-contempt that was dampening the festivities; in “Reg,” it’s an awareness that death is just around the corner.
From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2015
Miss Julia was dampening enough, but Miss Georgie was aggressive and intrusive.
From Youth and the Bright Medusa by Willa Sibert Cather
