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
Putting damp cushions back on furniture is one of the fastest ways to invite mildew. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026 This last step is easy to skip but makes a real difference — leftover moisture leads to streaks and creates the damp conditions mildew needs to grow. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
The qualifying round and first round of the women’s draw was played on Tuesday in damp, chillier conditions than usual. —Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 Opened in 1927 as a high-rise apartment building but converted during the war years into an upscale stay, the Pontchartrain had suffered over decades of rising damp and tumbling fortunes. —Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
The easy-to-use glossing treatment, which should be applied to damp hair and followed by a blow dryer to activate the frizz-fighting alpha acids, is a semi-permanent smoothing spray that basically creates a water-resistant shield to prevent flyaways—even in the most humid of places. —Eva Thomas, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026 Late last year, former President Jair Bolsonaro endorsed his son Flavio as the right’s candidate, damping investor expectations that Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas would gain broader backing. —Giovanna Bellotti Azevedo, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 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
  • The warmth and heavy saturation of these paint colors can make an already humid environment, like a bathroom, feel extra muggy, especially with certain types of lighting.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
  • This structure enhances polarization and draws in even more water, strengthening the material’s ability to generate electricity under humid conditions.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of humid
Adjective
  • Canned pineapple makes this carrot cake wonderfully sweet and moist.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The researchers also found that being young, female, and well educated increased the odds that someone would be moist averse, as did being disgusted more generally by bodily functions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of moist
Noun
  • In a bathroom, skip flat and matte finishes, as well as high-gloss finishes, which can highlight moisture and make the room look messy.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The perfusionist questioned the decision to stop disinfecting the units, saying his concern with draining was that if the tanks weren’t completely dry and still contained moisture, bacteria could form.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of moisture
Verb
  • Your 12th House of Silence hosts ambitious Mars, who’s cheering on Pluto in your 10th House of Audiences, turning private prep into public credibility without draining you.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
  • This elegant plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, requiring minimal care.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • Blot — don’t rub — and avoid over-wetting the mattress, which can lead to mold growth if moisture gets trapped inside.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Water at the base of plants instead of wetting the entire garden with a sprinkler or hose.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • Mowing wet grass can also dull the blades.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
  • As the decades passed on, neither its sentiment nor its shine ever dulled.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of dull
Noun
  • New Environment If your plant has gone through a significant change in its environment recently—colder or warmer temperatures, a sudden lack of humidity, a change in light levels or watering habits—the shock could cause leaf drop.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Its core instrument, the Infrared Sounder, collects temperature profiles and humidity profiles.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of humidity
Verb
  • Anwar, the state lawmaker and physician, expressed concern that lawsuits undermine patients’ faith in their doctors.
    — Noam N. Levey, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The move comes amid a broader crackdown on speech since the start of the Iran war, targeting those expressing support for Tehran or criticism of Gulf governments, and the publication of images of war damage, which are seen as undermining public confidence and stability.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 20 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 23 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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