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 wash
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

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
Luke Smith Antonelli stars after a rough day for the rookies The rookies struggled throughout the weekend and Sunday’s conditions were far from ideal, rain leading to the Formula Two race hours before being canceled and leaving the track with wet spots. —Luke Smith, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 Guam has a dry season from January to May and a wet season from July to November. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
In one photo, Lovato beams at Jutes — who is visible in a mirror reflection holding the camera — while cradling the tiny canine, dripping wet after a bath, in a towel in their arms. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 July 2024 There’s no difference in cost between a wet and a dry haircut. —Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 11 July 2024
Verb
To start, wet your hands with water, then apply enough soap to cover your hands and rub them against each other. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 Symptoms vary though as there are two types of AMD: dry AMD and wet AMD. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet
  1. rainy
  2. drunk
  3. sticky
  4. weak
  5. rain
  6. wash
  7. saturated
  8. drunken
Adjective
  • The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.
    — Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Areas affected by the Harmattan experience significant dryness, unlike the rainy season when the monsoon wind (from the south) prevails.
    — Christophe Lavaysse, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • Rivera had been jailed at Santa Rita since May 2022, after California Highway Patrol officers arrested him on suspicion of murder for allegedly driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a woman.
    — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • How do police tell if drivers are drunk? Law enforcement agencies use a series of physical and mental exercises to determine whether drivers could be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of drunk
Adjective
  • The telltale signs range from sticky, clammy skin to having moisture on your windows and walls.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Dimon said rising interest rates, sticky inflation, and widening credit spreads are setting the stage for a wave of financial strain among U.S. companies.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Dell Technologies’ balance sheet appears relatively weak.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.
    — Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of weak
Noun
  • Jonesboro, Arkansas, also experienced its wettest April day on record on Saturday, with 5.06 inches of rain recorded.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In a lot of areas, there will be less than an inch of rain, especially in those areas hardest hit [by floods], so that's good news.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of rain
Verb
  • An employee was seen sneezing directly into their hand and returning to work without washing their hands.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Because what’s really getting washed is the film as the paint rests safely beneath it.
    — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of wash
Adjective
  • Follow the journalist for a continued conversation about the risks of injectables, why founders need to invest in TikTok, and how to maintain success as a beauty brand in 2024’s saturated market.
    — Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These foods are high in saturated fats, which contribute to chronic inflammation, gut issues, and weight gain—all of which can lead to liver problems.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of saturated
Adjective
  • Read is accused of striking O'Keefe with her Lexus SUV during a drunken argument and then leaving the scene, where he was found dead with signs of severe head trauma and hypothermia the next morning.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Senator enlists the help of Davis to provoke Staten at Gracie’s, which leads to a drunken brawl.
    — Francesca Gariano, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of drunken

Phrases Containing wet

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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 23 Apr. 2025.

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