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
Use it post-style for shine, on damp hair to seal in hydration and add nourishment, pressed into braids or locs, or even mixed into conditioner for an extra boost. Martine Thompson, Essence, 5 June 2025 Sleeping in storms is one thing in an expedition, but leaving a plush guest bed for a damp suburban yard felt entirely less enticing. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 5 June 2025
Noun
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 Issues such as mold and damp can lead to respiratory problems and headaches. WIRED, 27 June 2023
Verb
They’re applied to damp hair after shampooing and conditioning—and then, crucially, left there. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025 In a nutshell, the shocks use low damping forces when the vehicle is traveling in a high frequency environment, like on long stretches of smooth road, but use high damping forces when traveling in a low frequency area like a road with a lot of bumps or sharp corners. Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • Sunday conditions in Central Florida will be similar to recent hot and humid days along with a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2025
  • Thicker formulas can clog pores when combined with hot or humid weather and sweat.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Keep the soil moist and maintain a 2- to 3-inch mulch layer to encourage more blooms by the end of summer.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • This includes cleaning the wound, applying appropriate dressings, and keeping the area moist to support repair and reduce scarring.25 Avoid chronic inflammation.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The fabric is also waterproof and doesn’t absorb any moisture.
    Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025
  • In addition to regular assessments, get one after any major leak or other moisture problem, which can result in a dirty coil, Siegel adds.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • But rather than engage in real fiscal discipline or rank order the needs of our communities, this budget leans on gimmicks — draining our Rainy Day Fund, borrowing billions from special funds, and relying on tax hikes that disproportionately harm small businesses and middle-class families.
    Diane Dixon, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
  • Why Culture Matters Toxic culture can drain performance, producing distrust, low creativity and high turnover.
    Chris Williams, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • His mother wet a sponge to moisten his lips and tongue.
    Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
  • The president’s health has been the subject of speculation for years; in 2023, six journalists were arrested after they were accused of sharing a video that appeared to show the president wetting himself.
    Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The bright colors of spent flowers will dull or turn brown, indicating the bloom is past its prime and ready to remove.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • Even so, that dimmer wattage does little to dull a film that plays like cine-karaoke — and as any mic fiend can attest, the glory in those moments belongs not to the singer, but the song.
    Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • High humidity is also contributing to this weekend’s heat warning.
    William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Some states could reach into the 100s with high humidity.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • These weaknesses undermine its attractive valuation metrics and strong recent growth.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • In fact, May data shows rents in Connecticut have now fallen for the first time in years, undermining the idea that these tools are the problem.
    Jim Amann, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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