as in wetting
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
moisten the cloth before cleaning with it
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Recent Examples of moistening
Soften turf by moistening the lawn a day or two before removal and use a sharp space to cut small sections.
—
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Your nose is better at warming and moistening the cold, dry air than your mouth.
—Susan Russell, Verywell Health, 23 Dec. 2025
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Your nose is better at warming and moistening the cold, dry air than your mouth.
—Susan Russell, Verywell Health, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moistening
Verb
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Also, wetting the peel before storage may encourage mold growth.—
Hannah Harper,
Health,
21 Feb. 2026
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Focus on even moisture at the soil level, and avoid wetting the flowers and the rest of the plant, if possible.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Drying Blueberries After Washing After rinsing the blueberries, pour onto paper towels or a clean cloth and pat dry.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
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Carve Out an Outdoor Shower For rinsing off after a day at the nearby beach, Wood installed an outdoor shower.—
Rory Evans,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chism recommends flushing the system yearly to protect the longevity of your unit.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
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How To Clean Toilet Bowl Rings With Vinegar For toilet bowl rings, lower the water level in your toilet by turning off the water supply valve behind the toilet and flushing it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The damping is also harsher than the bZ’s, but make no mistake, the ride’s still soft and generally comfortable, and this thing unapologetically rolls in the bends.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
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The scoot sports periscope-type front suspension, paired with adjustable straight-barrel damping to the rear.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By washing white rice, the excess starch is washed off, as well as any oxidized rice bran oil coating the outside, which can add an unpleasant flavor to the cooked rice.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
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Drying Dishes The classic movie dishwashing scene shows one person washing dishes and another drying them.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But with inflation dampening consumer spending and fewer Americans dining out, her earnings and tips took a dive.—
Kody Boye,
Ascend Agency,
17 Feb. 2026
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The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moistening. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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