dampen
to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong
Word origin: From Middle English dampen, related to damp, vapor or moisture.
Dampen in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing dampen in a sentence.
The poor weather did little to dampen the crowd's enthusiasm for the outdoor concert.
Not even the steady rain could dampen the crowd's enthusiasm for the long-awaited reunion.
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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence
The naturalist warned that the alpine bloom was blank, a spectacle of color that would vanish within days of the thaw, leaving no trace by midsummer.
Using “dampen” well
Dampen has a literal sense, to moisten, and a figurative one, to lessen the force of a feeling or reaction. On the GRE the figurative sense, aligning with stifle and mute, is far more common.
More GRE words starting with D
to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime
a raised platform for speakers or honored guests
to waste time or act without urgency
marked with spots or patches of color or light
to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt
to move slowly or waste time idly
a scarcity or shortage of something
a sudden and complete failure or collapse
Questions about “dampen”
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