DAMP Synonyms: 247 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'damp' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of damp are dank , humid , moist , and wet . While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture. // clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

Q: When would 'dank' be a good substitute for 'damp'?

In some situations, the words dank and damp are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness. // a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

Q: When could 'humid' be used to replace 'damp'?

While the synonyms humid and damp are close in meaning, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air. // a hot, humid climate

Q: When can 'moist' be used instead of 'damp'?

The meanings of moist and damp largely overlap; however, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry. // treat the injury with moist heat

Q: When is 'wet' a more appropriate choice than 'damp'?

The synonyms wet and damp are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

damp 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of damp

as in humid

containing or characterized by an uncomfortable amount of moisture the damp air made 85 degrees feel like 105

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in moist

slightly or moderately wet marks can usually be removed with a damp cloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

damp

2 of 3

noun

ˈdamp

as in moisture

the amount of water suspended in the air in tiny droplets we bought a dehumidifier for the basement when the damp down there began causing mold to grow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

damp

3 of 3

verb

as in to drain

to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality refused to let the setbacks damp his drive for success

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to wet

to make or become slightly or moderately wet damp the shirt slightly before ironing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dull

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling nothing seemed to damp the unwelcome attentions of her suitor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word damp distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of damp are dank, humid, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," 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 would dank be a good substitute for damp?

In some situations, the words dank and damp are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

When could humid be used to replace damp?

While the synonyms humid and damp are close in meaning, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

When can moist be used instead of damp?

The meanings of moist and damp largely overlap; however, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

When is wet a more appropriate choice than damp?

The synonyms wet and damp are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 damp

Adjective

Liberally spray the protectant all over your damp or dry hair (from a distance of 6 to 8 inches from your head) before using a hot tool. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 The fungi thrives in moist and damp environments, and high moisture levels lead to more fungi on maple tree leaves. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

Armed with a basket and a stick, her keen eyes scanned the damp, leafy undergrowth. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 Plan on a damp and rumbly late evening across the Baltimore metro and surrounding areas. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Verb

Armed with this insight, Cohen then needed to find a way to create just the right version of this flexible object to produce a proper damping function. — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 Evokes damp brown soil, grass, and a mysterious cave environment. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for damp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp

Adjective

Fry and Drew did make important contributions, working out passive techniques for setting hot and humid air in motion.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
The most likely scenario is warm and humid conditions with light showers and a low chance of monsoonal thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of humid

Verb

In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency.

— Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Then, crews from the Urban Search and Rescue team worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank and help save the remaining bears from drowning, officials said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.

— Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of wet

Verb

For Alex’s family, those seven months have done little to dull the anguish over what happened to him — or their determination to see the two officers who fired the shots held responsible.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
The sparkle in her eyes had dulled and her smile seemed forced.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of dull

Noun

This past week, Los Angeles theme parks had more humidity than their Orlando counterparts, something CBSLA chief meteorologist Paul Deanno says he’s never encountered during his career.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Tropical storm may bring more humidity Kittell said the tropical storm could bring more humidity, larger surf and potential coastal flooding issues over the Labor Day weekend.

— Paris Barraza, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of humidity

Verb

Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of conducting a campaign of sabotage and disruption in their countries with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilizing European nations, something Russia denies.

— Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of running a campaign of sabotage and disruption in their countries with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilizing European nations, something Russian officials deny.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of undermine

Browse Nearby Words

damn well

damp

damped

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of damp

adjective

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Is it 'damp down' or 'tamp down'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on damp

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of damp

adjective

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to damp

Is it 'damp down' or 'tamp down'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on damp

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes