DANK Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'dank' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dank are damp , humid , moist , and wet . While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness. // a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

Q: In what contexts can 'damp' take the place of 'dank'?

In some situations, the words damp and dank are roughly equivalent. 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

Q: When is 'humid' a more appropriate choice than 'dank'?

The words humid and dank are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air. // a hot, humid climate

Q: Where would 'moist' be a reasonable alternative to 'dank'?

The words moist and dank can be used in similar contexts, but moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry. // treat the injury with moist heat

Q: When can 'wet' be used instead of 'dank'?

The meanings of wet and dank largely overlap; however, 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

dank

adjective

ˈdaŋk

Definition of dank next

as in damp

slightly or moderately wet vegetables tended to go bad quickly in the dank cellar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dank are damp, humid, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

In what contexts can damp take the place of dank?

In some situations, the words damp and dank are roughly equivalent. 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 is humid a more appropriate choice than dank?

The words humid and dank are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

Where would moist be a reasonable alternative to dank?

The words moist and dank can be used in similar contexts, but moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

When can wet be used instead of dank?

The meanings of wet and dank largely overlap; however, 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

Examples 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 dank Darkness fell early; a dank gray that dimmed the natural light by 4 p.m. My wife and I huddled together on the couch with our pets. —

Kristen Arnett, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 Here’s a great piece from this week: To someone living outside these dank walls, the changes might seem small. —

Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2024 The vibe: Gone are the dank hallways and clanky radiators. —

Felix Salmon, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024 The characters are burnouts and duds who’ve either messed up catastrophically at MI5 or offended the wrong person, and have ended up exiled to Slough House, a dank office far from headquarters where leaks and rats aren’t spycraft terms but very real concerns. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dank