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
If wrinkles still show up, a few minutes in the dryer with a damp washcloth or a pass with a steamer can freshen up most fabrics. Lauryn Higgins, Time, 1 July 2025 This reflects the idea of decay or rot associated with damp, earthy conditions. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 June 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
Expect flavors like: Red cherries Raspberries Strawberries Sometimes a little earthiness (think mushrooms or damp forest floors in a romantic way, not a scary one) Good Pinot is all about elegance, balance, and subtlety. Emily Price, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 The weather didn’t cooperate either, as passing showers occasionally damped the field and sent fans racing for cover, but the Red Sox were able to hang tough and battle back into the game. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • More chances for rain come to Kansas City Friday night after a hot and humid day, with heat index values forecast near 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
  • Tiffany ambassador Pharrell Williams put in a brief appearance at the event, only staying long enough for a few photos before heading back out into the hot and humid night.
    Kelly Wetherille, Footwear News, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Consider using a humidifier, as moist air can soothe congestion.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 4 July 2025
  • Take cuttings from woody herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, and root them in a well-draining medium, like perlite or moist sand.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Meteorologists at the center initially sensed that the combination of moisture and pressure could lead to heavy rain, but nothing particularly significant, Fogarty said.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 7 July 2025
  • Extreme flooding is happening more frequently as the world warms and the atmosphere is able to hold more moisture.
    Renée Rigdon, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The Army Corps’ solution was to take a meandering 103-mile river that snaked through one of the wildest areas in the state, drain it, and carve it into a ruler-straight, 56-mile 30-foot-deep canal dubbed the C-38 — not exactly fodder for the tourism board.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • In such situations, when a client has the resources and the inclination to go round after round, small municipalities have to decide whether to settle or stand on principle, draining their budget.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Use a garden hose or power washer to thoroughly wet the rug.
    Karen Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
  • Hysterical laughter later erupts as the camera goes closer into the bathtub to reveal the dog wetting her head under the running water from the tap.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Even with such acrobatics, the fabric has not pilled or dulled.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025
  • The set comes with a magnetic walnut knife block to securely hold each knife and maintain sharpness without dulling blades.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The two-inch lift adds just enough height without sacrificing comfort, and the flexible, water-friendly design holds up in heat, humidity, and even sudden tropical downpours.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2025
  • Maryland’s heat index soared to 110 degrees, with oppressive humidity making conditions even more dangerous.
    Rachel Bustamante, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Media implies entertainment and undermines the responsibility that journalists are supposed to have to report the truth and hold those in power accountable.
    HG Biggs, IndyStar, 11 July 2025
  • And then the leftist media, which is looking to completely undermine our culture and our civilization, and knows that these things turn social norms on their head, pick up these concepts and promote them.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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