damp 1 of 3

damp

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noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

damp

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verb

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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

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
Both the bag and the strap can be spot cleaned with a damp cloth. Clint Davis, People.com, 8 July 2025 Mist it onto damp or dry hair to refresh strands and leave behind a subtle scent of vanilla, rose, sandalwood, and grapefruit. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 7 July 2025
Noun
Keep It Cozy Basements often have practical finishes like cement and tile to help ward off the damp, but that doesn't mean your lower level needs to feel like a utility room. Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 Issues such as mold and damp can lead to respiratory problems and headaches. WIRED, 27 June 2023
Verb
Tackling mountain roads was a real treat in this AMG; steering response and weight were solid, and while too stiff in its most hardcore setting, damping made the experience wonderfully engaging and confidence-inspiring. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Use a diluted cinnamon spray to fight fungal diseases such as gray mold and tomato blight, and help protect young seedlings from damping off. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • Leaving your dog in the car with the windows down isn't effective to reducing hot and humid temperatures, according to Haile Plantation Animal Clinic, an animal clinic based in Florida.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • On the flip side of the coin, clubs in markets like Dallas, Houston, Austin, Miami and Orlando could benefit by not hosting matches during the hot and humid dog days of summer.
    Michael LoRé, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Depending on humidity, leaving windows open can let in hot, moist air.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Bake for 12 to 15 more minutes, until a wooden pick comes out clean, or with little moist bits clinging to it.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Warmer air also holds more moisture, which can drive up rainfall amounts.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • This is especially notable because the last time July was this mild was in 2007, which saw a similar weather pattern with abundant tropical moisture and a persistent system of low atmospheric pressure.
    Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • The answer is to stop dating men who drain your brilliance, and to start dating as the woman who chooses herself first.
    Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Several of Yazan’s four older siblings also looked thin and drained.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Several people wetted shirts in the river, then put them back on.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
  • To create the look, Vickers wets White’s hair, coats it with sea salt spray to add texture, and then finishes it off a diffuser and milk serum to help keep the shape.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Even if the tree is far away from hard surfaces, exposed tree roots can dull and break lawn mower blades.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
  • Like knives, can openers should not be washed in the dishwasher to avoid rusting and dulling the blades.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Temperatures are expected to soar past 100 degrees with humidity just reaching 15% on Sunday.
    Ishani Desai July 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025
  • The blaze, fueled by extreme heat, low humidity, and fierce winds, forced evacuations, led to a hazardous chlorine gas release, and resulted in the seasonal closure of the North Rim for visitors and park staff, Inciweb shows.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Avoid Common Mistakes Despite the benefits of catch-up contributions, many individuals make avoidable errors that undermine their effectiveness.
    True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • The firing of a career public servant, lawfully appointed by the court, is another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesn't agree with them and undermine judicial independence.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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