as in to wet
to make wet
it will be easier to clean up if you wet down the surfaces first the stylist began by wetting down my hair
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Recent Examples of wet down
Ashcraft then started wetting down the roof of her family’s home until they were ordered to evacuate.
—
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Her lifestyle website recommends wetting down the tub with warm water, then applying a paste consisting of a mix of baking soda and a dollop of dish soap.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 June 2025
California firefighters Rains continue to wet down the state, with more on tap, as a bipartisan group of senators in Sacramento introduces legislation to do away with seasonal staffing and keep CalFire fire stations fully staffed year round.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
Once established, the plants shouldn’t need much water, but the crossing will have an irrigation system installed that can be activated to wet down the crossing in the event of a wildfire.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
The state agency has carried out precautionary measures, including wetting down potentially at-risk areas with water trucks, placing backup generators at key field division facilities and creating staffing plans to continue managing State Water Project operations remotely upon evacuation.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 3 July 2024
The Dublin Fire Brigade on Friday morning said firefighters were continuing to wet down smoldering vehicles.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
To the south, plumes of smoke rose behind Kirkwood Mountain ski resort as officials used snow spreaders to wet down the area.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2021
Her mom got out a hose to wet down their house.
—Dallas News, 26 Sep. 2022
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Her lifestyle website recommends wetting down the tub with warm water, then applying a paste consisting of a mix of baking soda and a dollop of dish soap.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 June 2025
California firefighters Rains continue to wet down the state, with more on tap, as a bipartisan group of senators in Sacramento introduces legislation to do away with seasonal staffing and keep CalFire fire stations fully staffed year round.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
Once established, the plants shouldn’t need much water, but the crossing will have an irrigation system installed that can be activated to wet down the crossing in the event of a wildfire.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
The state agency has carried out precautionary measures, including wetting down potentially at-risk areas with water trucks, placing backup generators at key field division facilities and creating staffing plans to continue managing State Water Project operations remotely upon evacuation.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 3 July 2024
The Dublin Fire Brigade on Friday morning said firefighters were continuing to wet down smoldering vehicles.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
To the south, plumes of smoke rose behind Kirkwood Mountain ski resort as officials used snow spreaders to wet down the area.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2021
Her mom got out a hose to wet down their house.
—Dallas News, 26 Sep. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wet down
Verb
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Traditional evaporators don’t work well in wet weather, but this new material stands up much better to wetting and drying, just like the rainforest birds that inspired it.—
Ian Rose,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 June 2025
-
Use a garden hose or power washer to thoroughly wet the rug.—
Karen Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The worker then pointed across the lot to Norman — who was washing someone’s car, tending to his summer job, minding his business.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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Often problems arise from short-term pollution, which can happen during heavy rainfall that washes waste from sewage plants into the water.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The campers drowned when their bus attempted to evacuate them and was overtaken by floodwater.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
-
On Saturday in Porter County, a father, 65, and his 20-year-old son drowned in Lake Michigan.—
Sophie Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Previous storms have flooded Mason’s building, damaging appliances and furniture, but this time she was mostly spared.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Days after the Guadalupe River flooded and claimed dozens of lives, another major river in Texas has triggered warnings from the National Weather Service.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wet down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wet%20down. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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