The present invention pertains to glycidyl ether-capped acetylenic diol ethoxylates having a structure according to the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen or a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; R2 is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; R3=—CH2OR4; R4 is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or aralkyl group having from 2 to about 30 carbon atoms; (n+m) is from 1 to about 100; and (p+q) is from 0.5 to about 5 and its use to reduce equilibrium and dynamic surface tension in water-based compositions containing an organic or inorganic compound, particularly aqueous organic coating, ink, acid gas scrubbing and agricultural compositions.