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.
Taiwan is not officially represented at the forum, and China, for the second consecutive year, has sent a watered-down delegation that does not include its defence minister.
From Barron's • May 30, 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
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
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.
