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

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 humid Miss Mayhem stepping out in the world, relishing the humid heat, the bustling, anonymous streets. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 The Pacific side offers a hot and dry climate; the Caribbean side is humid and warmer; while in the highlands, there’s more rain and lower temperatures. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 The kernels can become sticky during rainy or humid periods and plug up feeder ports. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2024 Expect to clean them more frequently in humid or rainy regions. Lauren David, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for humid 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humid
Adjective
  • In the case of the disaster that is now unfolding, the unusually dry conditions played a crucial role in setting the stage for extreme wildfires; a similarly powerful windstorm in Pasadena in December 2011 was preceded by a damp November, helping to prevent any significant fires.
    Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • To prepare, mushrooms should be cleaned with a soft brush or slightly damp paper towel, per the USDA.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Concerns about the shape of the U.K. economy are mounting, with investors and businesses taking note of new fiscal policies that will see taxes and business costs rise, as well as weak economic data prints out of Britain and sticky inflation.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The streak-free formula with coconut oil and lavender essential oil blend wiped the sticky mess away in less than a minute.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 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

Thesaurus Entries Near humid

Cite this Entry

“Humid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humid. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on humid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!