wet 1 of 3

adjective

ˈwet How to pronounce wet (audio)
Definition of wetnext
1
as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water I left the car windows open while it rained, and the seats got all wet

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

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3
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol designated a driver so the others could get wet and make it home safely at the end of the night

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4
as in sticky
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way things get more than a little wet during the opera's big death scene

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5
as in weak
British lacking strength of will or character employees of the company despised their boss as a wet and ineffectual bloke

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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

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wet

3 of 3

verb

as in to drown
to make wet you need to wet your hair thoroughly first

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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

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

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
The return of El Niño could mean wetter weather for Austin. —Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026 On a wet Thursday afternoon, St. Augustine’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive Open Division title rolled along. —Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Despite a wet and, in some places, snowy start to the week, Southern Californians can expect sunshine and clearer skies by Friday, with temperatures in the mid-60s by Saturday. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026 Most people opt for a frost or shimmer finish over a juicy gloss—think silky as opposed to wet—but a topcoat of clear glitter gloss can have a similar effect. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Simply wet your Makeup Eraser and put it to work. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026 Also, wetting the peel before storage may encourage mold growth. —Hannah Harper, Health, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet
  1. dripping
  2. rainy
  3. drunk
  4. sticky
  5. weak
  6. rain
  7. drown
  8. saturated
Adjective
  • The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actress has been laying low since giving birth last summer, albeit making a surprise appearance in a nude optical illusion corset dress that appeared to be dripping with blood at a special Jennifer’s Body event in October.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The snow had turned to rain and sleet, and everything was dripping.
    — Elwyn "Bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of dripping
Adjective
  • This year, The Roots Picnic will be held at Belmont Plateau— a change from last year's venue that faced significant issues with long entry lines and rainy conditions.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The principal said students will have lunch in a rainy-day format.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • During one of the shootings, Sheriff Shittu, a 30-year-old aspiring fashion designer, was fatally shot in the head after a tussle with a drunk patron who had groped his girlfriend earlier in the night.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Authorities alleged Lipscomb, who was drunk, belligerent and profane, came over next door to yell at the lawn care crew, including Starks, who were cutting the grass.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of drunk
Adjective
  • The formula isn’t sticky or tacky.
    — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Back then, gaming gear meant a sticky controller with a frayed wire and a TV that hummed louder than the game itself.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • The United States is, to her knowledge, the only country maintaining such a ban for nearly a century via Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act—even in its weaker form with the domestic consumption loophole.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Lessons from gold and small-caps The recent spike in oil prices has not resulted in spectacular gains for gold investors fueled by a weaker dollar, as was the case in 1973.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of weak
Noun
  • Fortunately, larger fuel sources like dense vegetation remain moist from heavy winter rains, and winds are predicted to be relatively light, conditions that together limit the danger of fast-spreading wildfires.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In July 2024, a deadly mudslide caused by heavy rain claimed the lives of 229 people in southern Ethiopia.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of rain
Verb
  • Elevated surf also frequently results in strong rip currents which can drag people away from the shore and possibly result in drowning.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Joshua Duckett was three years old when his father was sent to Florida’s Death Row, convicted of raping, choking and drowning a fifth-grade girl while on duty as a police officer for the small rural town of Mascotte in Lake County.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of drown
Adjective
  • The production design by Annie Beauchamp (Top of the Lake, On Becoming a God in Central Florida) is both recognizably grounded and subtly weird, and the camerawork of Lol Crawley (The Brutalist) is attuned to the liminal disconnect as well as the saturated palette.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Bubble teas may also contain tea extract powder and non-dairy creamers, which could add saturated fat.
    — Sarah Garone, Health, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of saturated

Phrases Containing wet

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westerly
wet
wet behind the ears
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Cite this Entry

“Wet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wet. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wet

Nglish: Translation of wet for Spanish Speakers

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