wet 1 of 3

Definition of wetnext
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

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
Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026 Pristine Sprays Toilet Paper Spray is a more natural, eco-friendly alternative to wet wipes. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
Yes, when diluted and used with a damp cloth, not soaking wet. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026 The restaurant was in violation of 10 standards, including containers of uncovered food and dishes stacked wet. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
To use a melamine sponge to get rid of stubborn stains, simply wet the sponge lightly and get scrubbing. Aliyah Rodriguez, The Spruce, 8 Apr. 2026 Then hose it down with a garden hose to fully wet the rug. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet
Adjective
  • The camera returned one more time to show the mom placing a second spoon into her cup and wiping off excess dripping from the sides with a napkin.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Everything, from the chassis, the frame, swingarm, subframe, and wheels, is dripping in carbon fiber.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Among its more iconic designs is the Traveller jacket, made from a lightweight shell fabric amenable to overheated airports or rainy city days.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Showers in April, when the winter rainy season historically winds down, are not rare, although less common than in March or February.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • An allegedly very drunk and disruptive bar patron decided Wednesday night to call police and tell them that bar staff were assaulting him.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
  • People can be persuaded that community action should trump individual choice if a behavior, such as smoking cigarettes or driving while drunk, harms others who don’t engage in it.
    Marie Helweg-Larsen, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • As the smell intensified, Lina crossed to the front door of her apartment, undid the lock, and yanked the sticky door open.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Keep an eye out for popcorn flowers, yarrow, goldfields, mustard and sticky monkey-flowers.
    Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This time, economists say the job market and consumer spending are weaker, and there are no large government stimulus checks being issued to spur demand.
    Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Then, a strong hit by Sennecke on fellow rookie Michael Misa gave way to a weak clearing attempt by former King Tyler Toffoli.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The term refers to warmer-than-average waters along the equatorial Pacific that can influence weather across the globe, raising the odds of searing drought in some regions and torrential rain in others.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • East Central Florida is at risk for excessive rain.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Tens of thousands fled by boat from Hue, many drowning in the attempt, and by the end of March a million refugees—soldiers, civilians, whole extended families—were clogging Route 7B, a major highway, trying to get farther south.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • One was a young man from West Africa, who survived the dangerous journey by sea to the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean, where tens of thousands of migrants have drowned.
    Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Two distinct color stories emerged—ones rooted in boldly saturated primary shades, the other in pale pastel tones typically associated with this time of year—demonstrating that the best colorful sneakers this season span the full spectrum.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The earthy colorways can give your bathroom a serene aesthetic, like the cream hue Collins has or oak and walnut for something a bit more saturated.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Wet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wet. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

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