What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dampen
Example
The rain dampened our clothes. [dampened: past tense]
Example
The negative feedback dampened his enthusiasm for the project. [dampened: verb]
diminish
Example
The company's profits diminished over time. [diminished: past tense]
Example
The argument diminished the credibility of his research. [diminished: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diminish is more commonly used than dampen in everyday language. Diminish is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while dampen is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dampen and diminish?
Both dampen and diminish are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional contexts.
