dampen

verb

damp·​en ˈdam-pən 

dampened; dampening ˈdamp-niŋ 

ˈdam-pə-

transitive verb

1

: to check or diminish the activity or vigor of : deaden

the heat dampened our spirits

2

: to make damp

the shower barely dampened the ground

3

: damp sense 1c

intransitive verb

1

: to become damp

2

: to become deadened or depressed

dampener

ˈdamp-nər 

ˈdam-pə-

noun

Synonyms of dampen

• moisten
• damp
• wet
• rinse
• wash
• flush

Examples of dampen in a Sentence

Dampen the spot with a wet cloth.

The shower barely dampened the ground.

We wouldn't let the bad weather dampen our excitement.

Recent Examples on the Web

But county documents also detail conditions the project should meet to address impacts, including designing buildings to dampen sound and adding landscape buffers. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026

None of that potential bad news could dampen the mood of a team and a franchise that had gone more than a decade without getting past the opening round. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026

Low-cost carriers rely on high customer volume to turn a profit, which has become harder to come by as the war dampens travel demand. —Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Twomeows/Getty Images The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady once again at its April 2026 meeting has done little to dampen the appeal of deposit accounts. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dampen

• rifampin

Kids Definition

dampen

verb

damp·​en ˈdam-pən 

dampened; dampening ˈdamp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to check or lessen in activity or vigor : deaden

2

: to make or become damp

dampener

ˈdamp-(ə-)nər 

noun