water down

verb

watered down; watering down; waters down

transitive verb

: to reduce or temper the force or effectiveness of
watered down the plan
watered-down adjective

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.
But banks are benefitting from Basel III being watered down and the Fed cutting rates. Sean Conlon, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 Chu says that since Trump's first term, red states have focused on school choice policies, and blue states have watered down accountability and testing requirements. Russell Contreras, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024 This was reflected in pointed remarks Harris made calling for a ceasefire at a civil rights commemoration in Selma, Alabama, in March (remarks that were reportedly watered down by administration officials) as well as in her convention speech. Joshua Keating, Vox, 6 Sep. 2024 Jackson is soliciting donations via his Substack to try to water down Bishop's attacks. Alexandria Sands, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near water down

Cite this Entry

“Water down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20down. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on water down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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