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.
Donalds has tried to defuse the issue by saying that SB 484, Florida’s watered down tech protection law, guarantees Floridians will never be hit with electricity rate hikes as a result of data centers. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 The barges were meant to create an underwater barrier and redirect the water down the river’s main channel and toward the Cernavoda plant. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Ironically, the firmly conservative majority has watered down Roberts’s power. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Before then, a creek naturally allowed the flow of surface water down Television Road, court documents say. — Zuri Primos july 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on water down

Nglish: Translation of water down for Spanish Speakers

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