Synonyms of damp

damp 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in humid

containing or characterized by an uncomfortable amount of moisture

the damp air made 85 degrees feel like 105

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humid
• sticky
• moist
• muggy
• wet
• tropical
• sultry
• oppressive
• tropic
• subtropical
• heavy
• steamy
• sweltering
• torrid
• clammy
• soggy
• saturated
• sodden
• semitropical
• dank
• summery
• dripping
• soaked
• stifling
• suffocating
• stuffy
• waterlogged
• soaking
• summerlike
• drenched
• smothering
• sopping
• washed
• subhumid
• bathed
• close
• watery
• watered
• awash
• soppy
• doused
• soused

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• fresh
• cool
• bracing
• refreshing
• crisp
• dusty
• arid
• droughty
• dehydrated
• burned
• scorched
• baked
• thirsty
• semiarid
• parched
• desert
• invigorating
• sunbaked
• waterless
• sere
• seared

2

as in moist

slightly or moderately wet

marks can usually be removed with a damp cloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moist
• humid
• dank
• dampish
• dripping
• soaked
• wettish
• soaking
• steeped
• clammy
• misty
• dewy
• muggy
• washed
• soggy
• sodden
• saturated
• sticky
• waterlogged
• sweltering
• tropical
• drenched
• sopping
• bathed
• watered
• torrid
• summery
• semimoist
• sultry
• water-soaked
• awash
• saturate
• soppy
• doused
• soused

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• arid
• waterless
• dusty
• droughty
• scorched
• dehydrated
• burned
• baked
• parched
• sunbaked
• bone-dry
• desert
• sere
• seared
• waterproof
• watertight
• water-resistant
• hyperarid
• water-repellent
• ultradry

damp

2 of 3

noun

ˈdamp 

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

• moisture
• humidity
• dampness
• moistness
• wetness
• stuffiness
• mugginess
• stickiness
• clamminess
• sultriness
• dankness
• sogginess
• soddenness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dryness
• dehydration
• aridity
• dehumidification

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drain
• undermine
• exhaust
• weaken
• dampen
• wear
• desiccate
• deaden
• petrify
• dehydrate
• devitalize
• enervate
• castrate
• discourage
• burn out
• fatigue
• sap
• wear out
• enfeeble
• lobotomize
• debilitate
• geld
• tucker (out)
• daunt
• dishearten
• dispirit
• demoralize
• do in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stimulate
• stir
• enliven
• invigorate
• energize
• quicken
• brace
• vitalize
• arouse
• vivify
• rouse
• charge
• fire
• ferment
• lift
• galvanize
• electrify
• trigger
• spark
• provoke
• excite
• kindle
• inflame
• whip (up)
• foment
• incite
• cheer
• fortify
• inspire
• boost
• instigate
• revive
• renew
• refresh
• buoy
• revitalize
• hearten
• abet
• reactivate
• rejuvenate
• regenerate
• rekindle
• embolden
• recharge
• resurrect
• reawaken
• resuscitate
• reanimate
• reenergize
• reawake

2

as in to wet

to make or become slightly or moderately wet

damp the shirt slightly before ironing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wet
• moisten
• wash
• rinse
• dampen
• flush
• bedew
• water
• steep
• soak
• saturate
• lave
• bathe
• impregnate
• drench
• humidify
• irrigate
• douse
• refresh
• dip
• dunk
• immerse
• sluice
• souse
• remoisten
• immerge
• rehydrate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• scorch
• dehydrate
• sear
• desiccate
• dehumidify
• parch

3

as in to dull

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling

nothing seemed to damp the unwelcome attentions of her suitor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dull
• reduce
• dampen
• blunt
• deaden
• numb
• subside
• weaken
• diminish
• benumb
• decrease
• subdue
• tone (down)
• cauterize
• ease
• alleviate
• muffle
• mute
• let up (on)
• lighten
• moderate
• lessen
• recede
• wane
• lower
• enfeeble
• debilitate
• dwindle
• taper (off)
• abate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enhance
• sharpen
• strengthen
• intensify
• augment
• deepen
• consolidate
• amplify
• stimulate
• step up
• boost
• heighten
• magnify
• whet
• arouse
• beef (up)
• redouble
• animate

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

Recent Examples of damp

Adjective

There was a smell in the air, of humidity and damp sheetrock. —J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026

The damp cloth will pick up dust and leave behind a coating of fabric softener. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026

Noun

Testers praised its hard-charging feel, mid-stiff paulownia core, and responsive carbon–flax layup, noting that its damp, confidence-boosting flex pushes you to ride harder without ever feeling maxed out. —Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 19 Nov. 2025

Serratia also thrives in damp, nutrient-rich environments where soap, shampoo, and body oils accumulate, said Don Thushara Galbadage, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of public health at Texas Christian University. —Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025

Verb

The mother plant can go back into its original container with fresh, damp soil. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025

The showers created an unusual backdrop for some residents, adding overcast skies and damp roads to the festive season. —Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 Dec. 2025