Synonym Chooser

How is the word humid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humid are damp, dank, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

When is it sensible to use damp instead of humid?

While the synonyms damp and humid are close in meaning, 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 humid?

In some situations, the words dank and humid are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

In what contexts can moist take the place of humid?

The synonyms moist and humid are sometimes interchangeable, but moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

Where would wet be a reasonable alternative to humid?

The meanings of wet and humid 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

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 humid Limiting time outside on humid or rainy days Removing damp debris and leaves Showering after being outside Using saline sprays or rinses after outdoor exposure Wearing a mask, gloves, eye protection, or a hair covering outside 3. Jurairat J. Molina, Verywell Health, 24 Mar. 2025 Fueled by warm, humid air moving in from the Gulf, the severe weather threat will expand farther east and south on Sunday over the Mississippi Valley. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 Florida isn’t often associated with wine, but one grape grows well in the wet, humid climate—Muscadine. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025 The rum is made from molasses, often with sugar cane juice added, and matured in oak barrels in Thailand’s hot, humid climate. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humid
Adjective
  • Routine Maintenance Tips Daily Wipe down cabinet doors with a damp microfiber cloth to remove grease after cooking, and wipe down with a dry soft cloth regularly to keep dust or particles that may have landed on them.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Best applied while the skin is a bit damp to retain more hydration in the skin.
    Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pitchers were becoming too dominant with the sticky stuff.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Aphids excrete the sap as honeydew, leaving leaves sticky and susceptible to sooty mold.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Everything's hot and muggy, and there's voodoo and magic and booze and music permeating the air.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Some spots in the desert Southwest were expecting temperatures topping 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), and hot, muggy conditions also permeated the Deep South and Middle Atlantic.
    Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 5 July 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Humid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humid. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on humid

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