dampen

5 definitions • 7 examples

to make something slightly wet:

Rain had dampened the tent so we left it to dry in the afternoon sun.

to make feelings, especially of excitement or enjoyment, less strong:

dampen someone's enthusiasm Nothing you can say will dampen her enthusiasm.

dampen someone’s spirits I didn't want to dampen his spirits.

to make something slightly wet:

Rain dampened the tent, but it dried in the sun.

If something dampens feelings, esp. of excitement or enjoyment, it makes them less strong:

I think the accident dampened his enthusiasm for baseball.

to make something less strong or successful:

The outlook for the global economy looked gloomy, and dampened expectations of a rise in profits that quarter.

Rising raw-material costs dampened profits for many manufacturers.