damp 1 of 3

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

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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 about 15 minutes, wipe the slices with a damp cloth. Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025 It’s distilled on small stills designed to retain the base wine’s aromatics, aged first in new oak then in old Limousin casks, in damp cellars. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
The melodramatic piano music has put you on edge, as have the visible damp of the Savannah air and the oak trees dripping with moss. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023 Keep It Cozy Basements often have practical finishes like cement and tile to help ward off the damp, but that doesn't mean your lower level needs to feel like a utility room. Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
Verb
The 2010 Land Art Generator Initiative entry even proposed hydraulic damping in the base to scavenge more energy from each gust. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 Mosquitoes are attracted to damp or humid areas, standing water, warm temperatures, dark shady areas, and carbon dioxide. Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • For example, many well-hydrated athletes experience cramps, while others competing in hot, humid conditions remain unaffected.
    Michael Hales, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Hot and humid climates will soon be replaced by cool and crisp temps, Halloween paraphernalia will line department store shelves and the smell of pumpkin spice has already begun to perfume the air.
    Roshae Hemmings, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Store in the refrigerator, changing the paper towel or water occasionally to keep them moist and fresh.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Tropical systems need warm ocean waters, a moist atmosphere, and less wind shear.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Finished with a glossy porcelain enamel coating, the dish is scratch-resistant and doesn’t retain moisture.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The two ingredients work well together to prevent signs of aging, alongside squalane for moisture and tartaric acid, which helps the skin absorb product more easily.
    Akili King, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Add to this poor emotional literacy, a lack of transparency, back-to-back meetings and the energy-draining complexity of navigating competing priorities.
    Sandro da Silva, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Reopening is dependent on how well the area drains.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Before going in, run the inside of your mouth with your tongue to wet every surface.
    Ian Kumamoto, Them., 10 Sep. 2025
  • Increase the resistance on this exercise by wetting the towel first.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In parts of Southeast Asia, totality will begin as the full moon rises, dulling the effect.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Even when the Dodgers find a glimmer, it has been dulled rather quickly.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Defining Gel coats the hair in flexible, humidity-resistant polymers to form structured spirals with zero frizz.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • For city-dwellers that battle hard water, dry, cold air, and random bouts of sidewalk grate humidity — this is the duo your brittle strands need.
    Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now, its Supreme Court is moving to hold a former president accountable for allegedly trying to undermine democracy and steer the country back toward authoritarian rule.
    Júlia Dias Carneiro, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Failing to meet that obligation undermines not only educational opportunity, but also the sovereignty, economic vitality, and cultural survival of Tribal nations.
    Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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