damp 1 of 3

Definition of dampnext

damp

2 of 3

noun

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

1
2
3

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
But toward the end of the afternoon session, the Frenchman spun on the damp track and hit the wall, damaging his car. Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026 Ultimately, the issue was less the goggles than the damp spirit of woo, the regimented serenity and us-ness of it all. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
For example, a medium-weight merino wool sock will often feel warmer—and stay warm when damp—than a bulky cotton pair. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025 Among the best sellers is Amber & Moss, a musky fragrance that’s like a hit of damp, sunlit earth on a mountain trail. Jenny Berg, Allure, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
There is quite a bit of variability to Theon’s tuning and performance, from suspension damping and ride height to wheel/tire combinations and of course engine tunes. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026 Can lüften make an older, damp home more comfortable? William Bahnfleth, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • Native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, this plant thrives in warm, humid climates.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Ensure that your plant is not positioned close to a drafty air vent or window, and try moving it to a more humid location like a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Lightly salted chocolate frosting tops off a moist vanilla cake dotted with fresh raspberries.
    Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Healthy roots will appear moist and will taper in thickness closer to the tip.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The conditioner’s nourishing formula also tames frizz, boosts moisture, and enhances shine.
    Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
  • To prevent streaks and patchiness, the formula infuses glycerin, avocado oil, and prickly pear seed oil to draw moisture into the skin.
    Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Drain and reserve about 1/2 cup cooking water, and drain pasta.
    Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The Bulldogs drew up a play for Jake Heidbreder, who calmly drained an open 18-footer on the left baseline at the buzzer and was mobbed by students spilling out of the Save Mart Center stands.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Apply enough water to wet the soil 12 inches deep.
    Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • To water from the top, pour water over the soil, avoiding wetting the leaves.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • His muscles waste, his mind dulls, his body collapses inward until only a voice remains, thin and disembodied.
    Gilberto Lopes, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The repetition dulls whatever voltage the pairing once carried.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In August 1977, humidity and heat from a tropical storm was blamed for killing 725 dairy cows in Chino.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • One of the students in his lab correlated low tick numbers to periods when humidity had dropped below 82%.
    Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Does this argument fit the full suite of facts, or are there inconvenient findings that undermine the argument?
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bailey asserted that retiree speech could still undermine good order and discipline, and denied that Hegseth’s actions would extend the reach of the military’s punitive powers over retirees.
    Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on damp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!