moisten

verb

ˈmȯi-sᵊn How to pronounce moisten (audio)
Definition of moistennext
as in to wet
to make or become slightly or moderately wet moisten the cloth before cleaning with it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 moisten Drizzle in 1/4 cup melted butter; stir until evenly moistened and crumbly. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026 Fill small containers or cell packs with potting soil and moisten. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 After watering, dig a small hole to check if the top 6 inches or so of soil are moistened. — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026 Avoid sprinklers, which will moisten the stems and leaves more than the base of the plant; more water will evaporate than soak into your plants' roots. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for moisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moisten
  1. wet
  2. damp
  3. rinse
  4. wash
  5. dampen
  6. flush
Verb
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    — Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • By early afternoon, the scene shifts across the shaded wooden deck, as guests slip in from the jetty barefoot and still damp from the sea, for long, languid lunches that roll into dusk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • For extra hold, apply a little volumizing mousse or a lightweight styling product to damp hair.
    — Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of damp
Verb
  • The bestselling cream-like balm melts into a clear, oil-like cleanser when warmed between dry palms, dissolving makeup, sunscreen, and grime before emulsifying with water and rinsing clean.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Torres likes to clean zellige tiles in 2-foot sections at a time, rinsing the microfiber cloth in clean water before moving on to the next section.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of rinse
Verb
  • But behind the crisp white tablecloths, strict dress code and expensive steak dinners was a kitchen full of immigrant workers washing dishes, preparing food and keeping the restaurant running.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Now, to the handwashing shortcomings, such as a cashier handling customer’s payment, then preparing drinks and serving plates of food to customers without washing hands (cash and payment cards tend to be germ motherships).
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of wash
Verb
  • France is hoping a new tax on ultra-fast fashion will dampen demand for cheap clothes.
    — Helen Massy-Beresford, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That means options generally are the most expensive since late June, and traders may be leaning into strategies that collect premium by betting the swings in the fund will dampen.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of dampen
Verb
  • This looks quite snug – some compromises have to be made somewhere – and includes a vanity sink, a flushing toilet, and a walk-in shower.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But don’t flush the toilet—let your cleaning solution do the hard work for you.
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of flush

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moist
moisten
moistened
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Cite this Entry

“Moisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moisten. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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