water down

verb

watered down; watering down; waters down
Synonyms of water downnext

transitive verb

: to reduce or temper the force or effectiveness of
watered down the plan
watered-down
ˈwȯ-tərd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce water down (audio)
ˈwä-
adjective

Synonyms of water down

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Examples of water down in a Sentence

watered down the cocktails while jacking up their prices
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was a 200-yard stretch of fast water down through a rocky neck where the water left the lake. — Marc Terziev, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026 And dehydration can water down performance on the pitch, so to speak. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 The field would be watered down, the traditionalists protested. — Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Most experts recommend a solution of watered down rubbing alcohol as an effective and safe stain remover for quartz countertops. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for water down

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water down was in 1811

Rhymes for water down

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Browse Nearby Words

water dog
water down
water dragon
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Cite this Entry

“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20down. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on water down

Nglish: Translation of water down for Spanish Speakers

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