watered-down
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of watered-down
First recorded in 1895–1900
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.
High inflation allows debtors to repay loans with watered-down dollars.
From Barron's ● May 30, 2026
When the BMA ended talks in March because it said the deal had been watered-down at the last minute, the government withdrew the offer of the additional 1,000 posts.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
Serkis’ “Animal Farm” wastes no time confirming suspicions that it’s a watered-down version of Orwell’s dystopic classic.
From Salon ● May 3, 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
Her skin was light gold, like watered-down honey.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
