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

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
Sweetspire can be planted along slopes and in damp spots in your yard. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026 Using a long knife and wiping off with a damp kitchen towel between cuts, slice blondie into 9 squares. — Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
Use damp, salted hands to prevent sticking—no rice cooker or onigiri mold required. — Diana Yen, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026 Use a damp, soapy cloth to wipe any oil off the cabinets right away to keep it from hardening and prevent sticky surfaces. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
Vacuum first, then damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and clean water. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 Packing two means you’re never stuck putting on a cold, damp suit for the next swim. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 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
  • Scientists debate the threshold beyond which the dense, humid Amazon rainforest could shift to a drier ecosystem, with irreversible consequences for biodiversity and the climate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Temperature and Humidity Triostar Stromanthe tropical plants thrive in warm, humid environments.
    — Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of humid
Adjective
  • Oyamel firs thrive in cool, moist, mountainous environments, usually between 1,200 and 4,100 meters (3,940–13,450 feet) above sea level, where fog and precipitation are common.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Warm, moist air moving north fuels storms coming off the California coast.
    — Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of moist
Noun
  • The rich, silky formula coats the lips with collagen-boosting peptides, Brazilian acai butter, and African mongongo butter to plump and lock in moisture, while lactic acid and hibiscus flower enzymes buff away dry, flaky texture.
    — Tasha Nicole Smith, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Its molecules are too large to penetrate the skin and stimulate new production, Scott explains; applied topically, the protein acts more like a humectant (water-attracting substance), helping to retain moisture.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of moisture
Verb
  • Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In hopes of restoring the water's blue hue, park rangers partially drained Morning Glory in the 1970s to extract debris.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • One of these chambers contains a disc of fabric that is pre-wetted with water, one contains a foaming agent made up of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium bicarbonate (the main component of baking soda), and one contains a drop of eye medication.
    — Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Per a guide from Nectr, saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients, and how much is actually absorbed depends on the formulation and how the pouch is used.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • Some cleaners can dull the floor’s finish, cause damage, or leave streaks.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The primary effects generally wear off in less than an hour, but a person’s senses may remain dulled and their judgment and coordination impaired for several hours afterward.
    — Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dull
Noun
  • Beyond making buildings more comfortable, air conditioning has supported industrial processes, laboratories, hospitals, and data centers where temperature and humidity control matter.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Wind gusts could reach 40 to 60 mph in some areas, accompanied by low humidity.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of humidity
Verb
  • But supporters also warned that a Congress increasingly dominated by the far right and the agribusiness caucus could undermine those efforts to protect the forest and combat climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The senator challenged Supreme Federal Court Justice Cristiano Zanin’s decision to extend voting by two hours, arguing that the uneven application of the measure had undermined equal voting conditions.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on damp

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about damp

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