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

After 40 minutes, once the rain eased sufficiently, a call was made to get going, with a damp track offering the first wet racing of the year. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Her hair is still damp from her post-morning practice shower, a quiet reminder of a routine that refuses to bend. — Bella Armstrong, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

Storing fabric that is even a little damp can lead to stale odors (and mildew). — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 Characters rarely thrive in Harrenhal, but the damp is doing wonders for Aemond’s hair. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

Vacuum first, then damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and clean water. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 Packing two means you’re never stuck putting on a cold, damp suit for the next swim. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for damp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp

Adjective

Hot and humid Wednesday as rain chances increase Another hot and humid day, with temperatures again reaching the upper 80s and lower 90s.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Summer in Kansas City means Royals baseball, hot and humid days and reading stories about how the Chargers are going to be the team to beat in the AFC West.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of humid

Adjective

Rainfall in the Central Valley will be light at best, but up to an inch will be possible or areas along the coast as the low pushes cold moist air over land.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The resulting meatballs were moist, herby, spiced, seasoned, spicy and just a joy to eat.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of moist

Verb

The primary effects generally wear off in less than an hour, but a person’s senses may remain dulled and their judgment and coordination impaired for several hours afterward.

— Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Extreme weather events, such as drought or heavy rainfall, also stress trees and can trigger them to rapidly protect themselves by more rapidly pulling in the chlorophyll from their leaves, dulling fall colors.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dull

Noun

After high temperatures on Monday top out in the mid-80s with less humidity, low temperatures overnight and early morning Tuesday will dip into the low-70s.

— Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Combined with low humidity, the dry vegetation is catching fire more easily and supported the Norte fire’s rapid spread early on.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of humidity

Verb

There’s a sense that doubt would be a form of disloyalty to what came before you, or that admitting a weakness undermines the confidence of the people around you.

— Flavio Maluf, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Several roads near Westward Beach in Malibu are closed after additional erosion undermined the roadway and exposed a Los Angeles County water main.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes