damp 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of dampnext
1
as in humid
containing or characterized by an uncomfortable amount of moisture the damp air made 85 degrees feel like 105

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2
as in moist
slightly or moderately wet marks can usually be removed with a damp cloth

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damp

2 of 3

noun

ˈdamp How to pronounce damp (audio)
as in moisture
the amount of water suspended in the air in tiny droplets we bought a dehumidifier for the basement when the damp down there began causing mold to grow

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damp

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to drain
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality refused to let the setbacks damp his drive for success

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2
as in to wet
to make or become slightly or moderately wet damp the shirt slightly before ironing it

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3
as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling nothing seemed to damp the unwelcome attentions of her suitor

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word damp distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of damp are dank, humid, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture.

clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

When would dank be a good substitute for damp?

In some situations, the words dank and damp are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

When could humid be used to replace damp?

While the synonyms humid and damp are close in meaning, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

When can moist be used instead of damp?

The meanings of moist and damp largely overlap; however, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

When is wet a more appropriate choice than damp?

The synonyms wet and damp are sometimes interchangeable, but wet usually implies saturation but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or something (such as paint) not yet dry.

slipped on the wet pavement

How is the word damp distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of damp are dank, humid, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture.

clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

When would dank be a good substitute for damp?

In some situations, the words dank and damp are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

When could humid be used to replace damp?

While the synonyms humid and damp are close in meaning, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

When can moist be used instead of damp?

The meanings of moist and damp largely overlap; however, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

When is wet a more appropriate choice than damp?

The synonyms wet and damp are sometimes interchangeable, but wet usually implies saturation but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or something (such as paint) not yet dry.

slipped on the wet pavement

How is the word damp distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of damp are dank, humid, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture.

clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

When would dank be a good substitute for damp?

In some situations, the words dank and damp are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

When could humid be used to replace damp?

While the synonyms humid and damp are close in meaning, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

When can moist be used instead of damp?

The meanings of moist and damp largely overlap; however, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

When is wet a more appropriate choice than damp?

The synonyms wet and damp are sometimes interchangeable, but wet usually implies saturation but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or something (such as paint) not yet dry.

slipped on the wet pavement

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of damp
Adjective
Instead, use a damp cloth or a light spray to remove soap residue. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 Some people set their fabric pots in a child’s wading pool, filled with a few inches of water, to keep pots consistently damp. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
While the rest of the world was worried about buying solar eclipse glasses, timing telescopes to perfectly capture spectacular views of our sun and preparing for something profound, these researchers decided to spend time in the damp, woody and quiet air. —Julian Dossett, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026 Underpaid lecturers huddled closer to their space heaters, submerging themselves deeper in Aramaic love poetry to stave off thoughts of the damp. —Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
This peripheral features silent key switches with additional sound-damping material in the chassis, as well as dedicated shortcut keys and a volume knob. —Aubrey Jowers, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026 Gnats are tiny flying pests that are attracted to warm, moist environments and are often found near overripe fruits and vegetables, damp soil and standing water. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
  1. humid
  2. moist
  3. moisture
  4. drain
  5. wet
  6. dull
  7. humidity
  8. undermine
Adjective
  • This new drop feels flirty enough for date night yet polished enough for the office on humid days.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The technology enables reliable operation when users are wearing gloves, improves performance in humid or wet environments, reduces false activations, and improves detection of intentional input.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of humid
Adjective
  • By foraging, burrowing into crevices and tapping into air pockets and moist pools in the soil, hyphae can access nutrients that the shrub cannot.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Select a spot with moist but well-draining soil.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of moist
Noun
  • Many growers also engage with soil-health advisors, use scientific modeling tools and implement techniques like soil moisture monitoring.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Fungal communities respond to warmer temperatures, increasing moisture, a growing frequency and intensity in wildfires, and thawing permafrost.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of moisture
Verb
  • Some fruit trees might prefer wet weather and moist earth, but others will perform best with well-draining, sandy soil.
    — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026
  • That includes details that criminals can use to drain accounts, open loans, or impersonate you.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • Then hose it down with a garden hose to fully wet the rug.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Use a garden hose to fully wet the rug.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • After a debut season as shocking and raw as Aunt Lydia’s aforementioned act of discipline, Bruce Miller’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s landmark novel drifted into repetitious patterns with a familiarity that dulled their impact.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
  • And even supporters of the systems say searchers can become dulled by a multitude of false alarms and miss the few actual weapons.
    — Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of dull
Noun
  • Its core instrument, the Infrared Sounder, collects temperature profiles and humidity profiles.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
  • This will provide humidity without letting the orchid sit in water.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of humidity
Verb
  • Long-range drone and missile strikes have been a key element of the conflict as both Kyiv and Moscow seek to degrade the other's economy and undermine their ability to prosecute and fund the ongoing war.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • However, those efforts could be undermined by a recent increase in 2-year yields that threatens to compress excess spreads, according to Bank of America.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of undermine

Browse Nearby Words

damn well
damp
damped
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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on damp

Nglish: Translation of damp for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about damp

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