dampen

Verb

Verb Forms: dampened, dampening, dampens

• To make something slightly wet; to dull or reduce the intensity.
• smother or suppress
• make moist
• deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping
• reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves)
• make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible
• check; keep in check (a fire)
• lessen in force or effect
• To make damp or moist; to make moderately wet.
• To become damp or moist.
• To lessen; to dull; to make less intense (said of emotions and non-physical things).
• To suppress vibrations (mechanical) or oscillations (electrical) by converting energy to heat (or some other form of energy).
• To become damped or deadened.

Examples

• A poorly chosen word can DAMPEN a player’s spirits and their score.
• We won't let the bad news dampen our spirits.

Synonyms

break, damp, deaden, dull, moisten, muffle, mute, soften, stifle, tone down, wash, weaken

Antonyms

stimulate