dampen (vt)
1.減緩
They are hoping a Confucian revival can help dampen grass-roots challenges to government authority. 他們希望重新推動儒家思想能減緩基層對政府當局的挑戰。
2.降低
For women in their 30s and 40s, juggling the demands of career and family can dampen interest as well. 對三、四十歲的女人來說，兼顧事業與家庭的需求也會降低興致。For now, the plummeting dollar has dampened the fervor of last year’s U.S. debate on the yuan. 目前，不斷下滑的美元已經降低去年美國人討論人民幣的熱度。
3.減輕
The unexpected rise of the dollar in 2005 helped dampen concern about America’s budget and trade deficits. 美元在二零零五年的意外升值幫忙減輕大家對美國預算與貿易赤字的憂慮。
4.阻礙
Taiwan’s air and water could become so polluted that further economic growth will be dampened. 台灣的空氣和水源可能會汙染到阻礙未來經濟成長的程度。
5.不利
The rise in oil prices dampened growth. 油價上升不利成長。
Higher rates could dampen growth. 高利率可能不利成長。
6.抑制
All those steps would dampen consumer spending and promote saving. 這些措施都會抑制消費支出，鼓勵儲蓄。
Many drugs used to fight depression also dampen libido. 許多用來抗憂鬱的藥物也會抑制性慾。
7.影響
It will dampen punters’ spirits. 它會影響股民的心情。
Mortgage rates are so low that minor upward may not dampen property markets by much. 房貸利率如此之低，小幅調升可能不會影響房市太大。
8.讓…減少
Americans might someday be shipped to Asia for certain surgical procedures, dampening U.S. surgeons’ wages. 或許有一天美國人會被送到亞洲接受某種外科手術，讓美國外科醫生的收入減少。
9.削弱
Musharraf’s crackdown on Islamic militants has dampened their striking power. 穆沙拉夫對回教好戰份子的掃蕩已經削弱了他們的攻擊力。
10.壓低
Subsidies have also dampened world prices. 補貼政策也壓低全球物價。
11.讓…熄火
Red Sock rookie dampens Yankees’ of-fense. 紅襪菜鳥讓洋基打線熄火。
12. 壓制
He would dampen China bashing from Washington. 他會壓制華府對中國的抨擊。
