damping

(verb) deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping. Synonyms: muffle, mute, dull, damp, dampen, tone down.

(verb) restrain or discourage. Synonyms: damp. Example: "The sudden bad news damped the joyous atmosphere."

(verb) make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible. Synonyms: dampen, deaden, damp. Example: "Muffle the message."

(verb) lessen in force or effect. Synonyms: dampen, damp, soften, weaken, break. Examples: "Soften a shock." "Break a fall."