as in to wet
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
moisten the cloth before cleaning with it
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Recent Examples of moisten
Some soils resist water penetration; try a wetting agent to help moisten the soil.
—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Made with ingredients that plump and moisten dry, aging skin—including mango seed butter, shea butter, and vitamin E—the blush is shaped like a jumbo swiveling crayon.
—
Jenny Berg,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
For set-in stains, moisten the area with cold water prior to applying the enzymatic cleaner.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
21 May 2026
Placing a dish of water nearby provides humidity, as does using a spray mister to moisten the surface of the soil.
—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moisten
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Made with ingredients that plump and moisten dry, aging skin—including mango seed butter, shea butter, and vitamin E—the blush is shaped like a jumbo swiveling crayon.
—
Jenny Berg,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
For set-in stains, moisten the area with cold water prior to applying the enzymatic cleaner.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
21 May 2026
Placing a dish of water nearby provides humidity, as does using a spray mister to moisten the surface of the soil.
—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moisten
Verb
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The father, Marquise Anderson, said Joanna wet the bed on two occasions on a night in February at the house in the 1900 block of Daniel Street.
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Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.
Verb
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Thick Groundcover Mosquitoes love to hide in dark, damp spots.
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The car’s otherworldly handling begins there and is further enhanced by McLaren’s adaptive damping system on its double-wishbone independent suspension.
Verb
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Scrub the grates with an old rag or abrasive dish sponge and rinse well.
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Ensure petals are thoroughly rinsed before use.
Verb
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Contrary to what those face-washing commercials from our childhood led us to believe, your skin doesn't need to feel tight or squeaky-clean after cleansing.
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For example, using the same cutting board for raw chicken and fresh vegetables without washing it in between can spread bacteria.
Verb
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Short watering sessions only dampen the top layer, and the water evaporates quickly, leaving soil cracked and dry.
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While the decline in numbers has raised parent companies’ valuations, the slowdown has dampened the fundraising and exit environment for venture capital funds, said Lee Hyo-seob, senior research fellow at the think tank Korea Capital Market Institute in Seoul.
Verb
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But their surge in popularity has coincided with an increase in plumbing issues, because people are flushing them down the toilet.
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Running a short cycle after performing a deep cleaning cycle and hand-detailing the dispensers, gaskets, and filters can help to flush out any lingering residue from the cleaning process.
Cite this Entry
“Moisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moisten. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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