1
as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
the soft, watery earth of the marshland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in runny
having an overly soft liquid consistency
watery oatmeal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thin
not containing very much of some important element
a watery lemonade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bland
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character
political correctness has resulted in a lot of history books being written in very watery prose
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 watery
Photographer Gray Malin, known for his large-format photos of dreamy watery locales, did just that in his California dining room.
—
Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Just a party of cheerful paddlers enjoying a long watery picnic.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
Scientists determined that the crustaceans had become trapped in the sewers some 2,000 years ago when Rome was becoming urbanized and had lived there ever since—not just below Trajan’s Forum but in an entire system of canals, drainpipes and other watery infrastructure hidden below city streets.
—Krista Langlois, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2025
For decades, diphenhydramine—best known by the brand name Benadryl—has been a go-to medication for relieving allergy symptoms, such as runny noses, watery eyes, and rashes.
—Cathy Nelson, Health, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for watery
Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Just a party of cheerful paddlers enjoying a long watery picnic.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
Scientists determined that the crustaceans had become trapped in the sewers some 2,000 years ago when Rome was becoming urbanized and had lived there ever since—not just below Trajan’s Forum but in an entire system of canals, drainpipes and other watery infrastructure hidden below city streets.
—Krista Langlois, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2025
For decades, diphenhydramine—best known by the brand name Benadryl—has been a go-to medication for relieving allergy symptoms, such as runny noses, watery eyes, and rashes.
—Cathy Nelson, Health, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for watery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watery
Adjective
-
Cover and cook until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 8 minutes.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Initial symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Details on the election process are thin, but many citizens could be casting their votes in an active conflict zone or under the eyes of armed soldiers – a terrifying prospect that some say could lead to more violence.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Without their voice in sales, clients can feel disconnected from the brand’s deeper purpose, messaging risks becoming bland or robotic and trust can erode if communication lacks emotion or nuance.—
Doaa K. Darwish,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
For anyone who feels healthful food is bland or boring, Santavicca encourages them to come and try their food.—
Pamela Brown,
Hartford Courant,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Any of these oils can support heart health, especially when used in place of saturated fats and trans fats.10 Be mindful of heat temperatures: Different oils have different smoke points, which is the temperature an oil starts to burn and smoke.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
4 Aug. 2025
-
With an astounding 20 million followers and over 1.6 billion video views, Ligue 1 McDonald’s has emerged as one of the most influential sports publishers on TikTok, proving that even in a saturated market, strategic innovation can generate unparalleled reach.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Here’s what’s behind this summer’s especially soupy start.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The texture of the ropa vieja was just right — not too soupy, but also not getting caught in your teeth for perpetuity, like some ropier ropas viejas.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles.—
Liz Roth-Johnson,
Discover Magazine,
12 Feb. 2013
-
However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute.—
George Johnson,
Discover Magazine,
8 July 2013
Adjective
-
Stick with boring investments to avoid big mistakes from get-rich-quick schemes.—
Jonathan I. Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Hosting every summit in a big European city would alleviate much of the pressure to re-invent the wheel every time with respect to hotels, transit, and other boring but essential logistical details.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Hill said the next step was to just let the cord dry on its own, taking care not to trap it in a wet or soiled diaper for extended periods and to avoid soaking it at bathtime.—
Andrea Kane,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watery. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share