tamped down
Pressed into place
Tamped down describes something pressed or packed firmly into place.
Soil is tamped down around a newly planted tree; tobacco is tamped down in a pipe.
Figuratively, to tamp down emotions, expectations, or controversy is to suppress or reduce their intensity: She tamped down her anger and spoke calmly.
The phrase suggests deliberate pressure applied to keep something contained.
- repressedHeld back from expression
- compactedPressed into less space
- quelledForcibly ended unrest
- curtailedCut short prematurely
- packedFilled to capacity
kept quiet · flattened · restrained · held back · dampened · squelched · stifled · put a lid on · diminished · dialed back · inhibited · rammed · pounded · controlled · subdued · reined in · silenced · censored
tamped downloosened
Made less tight
fluffed up · aerated · loose · fluffy · puffed up
tamped downinflamed
Provoked or medically irritated
stoked · stirred up · whipped up · escalated · riled up
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