watered-down

American  

[waw-terd-doun, wot-erd-] / ˈwɔ tərdˈdaʊn, ˈwɒt ərd- /

adjective

1. made weaker or less effective from or as from dilution with water.

   a watered-down cocktail; Spectators saw a watered-down version of the famous opera.

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Etymology

Origin of watered-down

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

On the diplomatic front, the UN Security Council is set to vote Tuesday on a watered-down resolution addressing Iran's threats to the strait, diplomatic sources told AFP, after more robust earlier drafts faced potential vetoes.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

A watered-down definition, meanwhile, could end up allowing certain ultraprocessed foods to fly under the radar, especially if food companies find a way to get around whatever UPF definition or label is proposed.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

It follows last year's announcement of a much watered-down relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Netflix over producing TV series for the platform.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

She was a 38-year-old mother of five, craving caffeine and tired of watered-down fountain soda when she decided to turn her cravings into a business in 2010.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

But Cape York Aborigines did not adopt agriculture, in part because what they saw of it on Muralug Island was so watered-down.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond