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
Gucci also kept jeans tame except for one jean with a wet-effect coating. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026 These Rains cargo pants are a genius way to stay dry in style on a wet, chilly day, with a waterproof exterior, plus useful features like a comfortable drawstring waist and large rain-safe pockets. —Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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 Dick’s will serve both wet-aged and dry-aged steaks on a New York-style broiler, kissing some steaks with charcoal from a charcoal grill. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Focus on even moisture at the soil level, and avoid wetting the flowers and the rest of the plant, if possible. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026 Night after night, performance after performance, tears would wet Duvall’s cheeks during his final monologue. —Chris Nashawaty, Vanity Fair, 16 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
  • This concept was prevalent at this year's flower show, with many designers incorporating water features into their displays, from a simple dripping fountain to more formal pools, engaging visitors' auditory senses.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dripping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of dripping
Adjective
  • Add all that to ideal daytime temps in the mid-70s, and a low chance of showers before the rainy season begins around June, and your last-minute CDMX trip practically plans itself.
    — Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Don't be afraid of the rainy season.
    — Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • And Wolff knew it when describing the emotions in the team hospitality unit after the race, where glasses of champagne sat nearby, waiting to be drunk by team members.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • He gets kicked out of school for being drunk.
    — Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of drunk
Adjective
  • When slicked with oil over high heat, the morsels crisp into a textural marvel, jumping a long way from their original sticky form.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Brewing economic conditions suggest, however, that when Warsh takes office, presumably in May, central bank policymakers could be facing both a wobbly jobs picture and sticky inflation made worse by spiraling energy prices.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • But relying on the military to supplant the role traditionally performed by civilian law enforcement entails risks in a region where military institutions and oversight are weaker, armed forces have a legacy of human rights abuses and corruption is a perennial challenge.
    — JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
  • January’s stronger-than-expected total was likely buoyed by some one-time factors (notably, weaker holiday hiring that meant fewer post-holiday layoffs, and unseasonably warm weather in the early part of the month that boosted industries like construction).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of weak
Noun
  • But extreme warmth across the West this winter has meant more precipitation falling as rain, not snow — a symptom of global warming, experts say, which in recent years has been pushing average snow lines higher in the mountains and changing the timing of runoff.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Turtlehead is the perfect choice for bog or rain gardens or alongside koi ponds and waterfalls.
    — Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of rain
Verb
  • George Seda, the police boss in Nairobi, said Saturday that six people drowned and two others were electrocuted, warning that the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • When Christina drowns herself for a second time, Baron Frankenstein is confronted by the unpredictability of stitching together dead flesh—his female creation is capable of reckoning with her past suffering.
    — Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of drown
Adjective
  • Key Takeaways Both cashews and almonds are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, but almonds are a more heart-friendly option due to their lower saturated fat content.
    — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats—such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish—can improve cholesterol levels.
    — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of saturated

Phrases Containing wet

Browse Nearby Words

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 11 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wet

Nglish: Translation of wet for Spanish Speakers

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