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 Avoid areas that are too dry, which could cause the cork to dry out, or areas that are too moist or humid, which encourage mold growth. Annie Peterson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 2025 It’s designed to lock makeup in place and keep your makeup matte for hours, even in humid or hot conditions. Daisy Maldonado, Allure, 6 Feb. 2025 Especially in the South, where the weather is typically hotter and more humid, a coverlet might be a preferred option for bedding. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025 This leads to a sharp and humid love triangle, in which Roisin must deal with her own warmth toward Echo while watching Kosta fall for her, until the plot crests through a breathtaking act of betrayal. Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humid
Adjective
  • Using a damp paper towel, wipe any dirt from the surface of the radishes.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Mop the floor once again with the clean, damp mop to thoroughly remove any residue.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Concerns around sticky inflation and rising global tensions remain, and, what’s more, other growing threats such as the ballooning U.S. deficit, and the protectionist rhetoric around tariffs, have central banks around the world looking for alternatives.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The researchers started by utilizing machine learning algorithms to model the manner in which bitumen (the sticky black stuff in asphalt) oxidizes and hardens in response to environmental factors.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on humid

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