WET Synonyms: 350 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wet 1 of 3

adjective

ˈwet

Definition of wet next

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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as in rainy

marked by or abounding with rain a wet and dreary day

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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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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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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

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 wet

Adjective

Santa Cruz wharf breaks off as series of storms hits West Coast For the West Coast, the break in wet weather will be brief. —

Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 The downstairs wet facilities included heated benches, a steam room, an ice fountain, hot and cold pools, experiential showers and an ice bucket. —

Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

The Orioles wouldn’t smack another extra-base hit and get the fans in Section 86 wet until the seventh inning — after Rubenstein handed the reigns back to Mr. Splash on his bobblehead night — when Henderson doubled home Jorge Mateo. —

Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2024 Escape to Film Forum and watch Alain Delon and Romy Schneider, dripping wet and lightly broiled by a Provençal sun, make out beside a swimming pool. —

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

Robot Vacuum Deals The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is a versatile robot vacuum and mop that effectively cleans various surfaces without wetting carpets, thanks to its retractable mop. —

Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 3 Dec. 2024 The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is a versatile robot vacuum and mop that effectively cleans a variety of surfaces without wetting carpets, thanks to its retractable mop. —

Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet

Adjective

Eighteen months ago, the Jewish Museum London, which occupied an idiosyncratic, homely town house in Camden, where my wife and I used to take our kids on rainy weekends, closed its doors for lack of funding.

Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, social media users watching from home couldn't resist commenting on the rainy event.

Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025