damp 1 of 3

Definition of dampnext

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
Pat your skin dry with a towel and leave it somewhat damp. Sherri Gordon, Health, 29 Oct. 2025 Hair rollers should be used on slightly damp hair. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Invigorated by the damp, fungi living quietly in the soil sprout fruiting bodies. Rachel Bujalski Veronique Greenwood, New York Times, 11 June 2024 The melodramatic piano music has put you on edge, as have the visible damp of the Savannah air and the oak trees dripping with moss. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023
Verb
Watch Lotte return to her desk, face wiped clean, sleeve still damp. Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025 Gardeners can circumvent that process by manually removing that pulp before providing the cold, damp treatment. Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • The interaction with more humid air already in place will trigger rain and thunderstorms across West and North Texas.
    Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The trade deadline is a month away, but the rumors are swirling like gnats on a humid day.
    Stan Son, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Waterspouts tend to form when the air is cool and moist, and the water is near its warmest.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Let the soil dry out slightly in between waterings and ensure the plant is not sitting in moist soil to help avoid root rot.
    Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The conditioner’s nourishing formula also tames frizz, boosts moisture, and enhances shine.
    Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
  • They’re made of the brand’s fast-drying fabric called Everlux, which wicks away moisture to prevent sweat marks and stains during even the most high-energy workouts.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • During the final week, the crew worked nonstop for sixty hours in a heat wave that parched energy and drained our bodies.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Instead, voters now are expressing concerns that high prices for groceries, electricity bills and housing are draining their bank accounts.
    Josh Boak, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Place chopped leaves in a large wire bin and wet each layer.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
  • But the comedy is absolutely something that wets my beak, I'm drawn to it.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.
    Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
  • But that did little to dull the vitriol targeting the military’s top lawyer.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Plant it in chunky potting soil—an orchid mix works—and give it warmth, humidity, and bright, indirect light.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Avoid painting when the temperature is below 60°F or the humidity is higher than 85 percent.
    Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Adopting the Southern view, the Supreme Court issued opinions that severely undermined the legal architecture of Reconstruction.
    Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Others tell us that AI will completely undermine society.
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

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