Dampen: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate when talking about slightly reducing the strength or intensity of something, such as emotions, enthusiasm, or sound.

• The news dampened his spirits.
• The rain barely dampened the ground.

Typically used when adding a small amount of liquid to something to make it slightly wet, often for practical purposes such as cooking or cleaning.

• Moisten the sponge before cleaning the table.
• She moistened her lips before speaking.

General term for something covered or soaked with liquid. Basic description without a specific intensity.

• His shoes were wet from the rain.
• Don’t touch the paint, it’s still wet.

Used when something or someone is completely soaked or covered with a lot of liquid, usually water. Often implies a stronger degree of wetness than 'wet' or 'moisten'.

• She was drenched by the sudden downpour.
• The kids drenched each other with water balloons.

Use in situations where you want to slightly reduce the intensity of something, often emotions or enthusiasm. It can also mean making something slightly wet.

• The unexpected rain dampened the excitement of the outdoor concert.
• She used a spray bottle to dampen the cloth.

Best used when talking about making something smaller in size, amount, or degree. It has a broad application, from physical quantities to abstract concepts.

• We need to reduce our expenses to save more money.
• The doctor advised him to reduce his salt intake.

Appropriate when referring to a decrease in size, importance, or value. It often implies a more gradual reduction.

• The noise from the construction site began to diminish as evening approached.
• His influence in the company started to diminish after the scandal.

Used when discussing a significant loss of strength, power, or intensity. It often has a negative connotation.

• The illness had severely weakened her body.
• Their argument weakened his position in the negotiation.