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

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
Whereas Paintstroke evokes a wet stripe of pigment, Chalk Line juxtaposes raised cross-hatchings against a neutral ground. — Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026 The hot water circulates through cooling towers or over wet pads that are exposed to air, and the portion that evaporates carries heat away with it. — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
Intuiting chaos, Aesha immediately changes into her wets to help. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 According to Kavya Nair, a Dyson designer based in Singapore, the brand sought to create a more travel-friendly, stand-alone solution for wet-to-dry styling. — Eden Stuart, Allure, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
Saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients between the lip and gum, according to Nectr. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 The Bluff offers a gorgeous view of a section of the Tanana River and the surrounding boglands, ranging from permafrost forests to wet fens to bogs. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet
Adjective
  • Publicist and artist Sergio Farias wore a dripping ruby headpiece, sparkling silver suit and fluffy scarlet train.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet with tongs; let sit until cool enough to handle (no need to squeeze out excess water unless dripping wet).
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Being a kid and remembering that, rainy nights and then moving to California and glamping in the desert.
    — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Wentz threw three touchdown passes in the rally to beat the Packers and started the rainy victory against the Chicago Bears in Week 2 at Soldier Field, going 23-for-39 for 276 yards with six sacks and no turnovers.
    — Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Except Moe is nice, caring, and talented, while Matt is arrogant, unpleasant, and, at the beginning of the episode, belligerently drunk.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Two Northfield, Minnesota, police officers were injured while arresting a woman suspected of driving drunk after a series of hit-and-run crashes that damaged three vehicles and two homes Monday evening, police said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s the tight-skin feeling that sent them looking for a moisturizer, and there’s the prospect of wearing a cream on a day when their face already feels sticky outdoors.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Vinegar, red pepper flakes, and a good dose of butter transform it into a sticky sauce that seeps into the nooks of each and every sprout.
    — Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Trump was implying Ukraine was in a weak negotiating position and did not have the military resources to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And some players are turning on the season as seen by them letting the Jaguars tear through weak tackle attempts to the tune of 183 rushing yards and three passing TDs by Trevor Lawrence.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Although rain is not forecast for Saturday morning, low temperatures in the mid-40s are expected.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Nov. 2026
  • As the evening fell in Spain's capital, the wide Paseo del Prado boulevard became a sea of umbrellas as a huge crowd turned out during steady rain.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Theiss’ wife filed a police complaint alleging that the men were shocked while trying to get out of the pool and drowned, NDTV reported.
    — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 31 Oct. 2026
  • And Saturday, with the game temporarily relocated to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Gators couldn’t even drown their sorrows in the usual Jacksonville sunshine.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • And a tablecloth reveals dense botanicals in a saturated hues of browns and crimson.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • If royal purple and tomato red are too saturated for you, go the baby route.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Wet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wet. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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