wet 1 of 3

1
2
as in rainy
marked by or abounding with rain a wet and dreary day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5

wet

2 of 3

noun

as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity winced as he walked out into the wet without any protection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wet

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wet distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wet are damp, dank, humid, and moist. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," 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

When is it sensible to use damp instead of wet?

The meanings of damp and wet largely overlap; however, 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 can dank be used instead of wet?

While the synonyms dank and wet are close in meaning, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

Where would humid be a reasonable alternative to wet?

In some situations, the words humid and wet are roughly equivalent. However, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

In what contexts can moist take the place of wet?

The words moist and wet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

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 wet
Adjective
Mowing wet grass is messy, sticking to your mower and leaving behind clumps on your lawn that can harbor viruses and look bad. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025 Sandberg was there wandering around the clubhouse sopping wet from a mixture of champagne, beer and rain water along with other Cub greats, protected by a yellow rain slicker. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
In this scene for Episode 2, Devon comes in wet and starts going through all of Simone’s clothes to find something to wear. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025 Consider drip irrigation under mulch so the water seeps into the ground more quickly without leaving the mulch wet for long periods. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Increase the resistance on this exercise by wetting the towel first. Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025 Update irrigation The goal of irrigation is to wet plant roots. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet
Adjective
  • The letter is dripping with LOVE for Israel and a frustration for its failure on social media.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The Wall Street Hotel’s afternoon tea spot is dripping with jewel tones—a teal-blue carpet, mustard lounge chairs, a deep-red banquette.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Miami office of the National Weather Service called for a rainy weekend ahead in Florida, and the coast is still facing a high rip current risk from the swells left behind by Hurricane Imelda.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Gators were one of the last SEC schools with an indoor practice facility … despite sitting in a state with rainy Augusts/Septembers and playing in a stadium nicknamed The Swamp.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity, spanned topics like the powers of drunk texting, who should really have ghostwritten Britney Spears' memoir and what Edward Cullen has under those pants.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Enraged and drunk, Arthur heads to the brewery and attempts to call out his brother.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Its sheer pink hue and non-sticky texture check all my boxes.
    Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That commitment was further emphasized by the addition of Reed, who replaced another sticky corner in Carlton Davis III.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nobody can say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a weak team.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Akin to two boxers with weak chins slugging it out, Villa wanted to land another blow.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So as the rain rolled through Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the first quarter, there was almost an air of revelation for the Florida fan base and the team itself.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Typically, when there is an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, Tennessee saw excessive rain in spring and early summer with dry coditions in late summer, the agency said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Inspectors gave the Sacramento coffee shop a yellow placard after watching an employee skip the sanitizer step when washing a tray of cups and forks.
    Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Remove screens to spray down with your garden hose and wash and squeegee the exterior glass.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The mineral can range from light to dark blue, but the darker colors are more saturated and common.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Some foods that contain saturated fats, such as fatty fish and dairy products, also provide essential nutrients.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 30 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Wet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wet. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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