humid

adjective

ˈhyü-məd How to pronounce humid (audio)
Definition of humidnext
as in damp
containing or characterized by an uncomfortable amount of moisture the air was so humid that our beach towels hanging on the line never really got dry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Thursday will be hot and humid, with a few afternoon and evening storms expected. —Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025 Leafy greens and herbs need a humid environment to stay perky, while ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and avocados, fare better in drier conditions. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 For a smooth finish that holds up under the most humid conditions, look to Color Wow’s signature Dream Coat. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 24 May 2025 Madagascar’s new vanilla growers found great success in the lush, humid northeast coast of the island, where the vines attached their aerial roots to shaded tree trunks and climbed toward the canopy. —Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for humid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humid
  1. damp
  2. sticky
  3. muggy
Adjective
  • Part of the iris family, this plant likes moist to average soil and is generally found in marshes, damp woods, and on stream banks and slopes in zones 4a-9b.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 June 2025
  • Most of World Cup 1954 was not to his liking, but in the final week the temperatures cooled, and the final was played on a damp day.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Definition of damp
Adjective
  • The unique gel texture sets into a lightweight veil that feels comfortable and stays put, so there’s no pillow staining or sticky residue.
    — Marie Lodi, Allure, 2 June 2025
  • Neanderthals made and used wooden spears, cared for their fellow community members, made sticky tar and other adhesives, and butchered massive elephants, among other feats.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Vibrant personalities aboard the bus and later in Lagos replace the muggy atmosphere of their rural home, the low hum of passengers gossiping and rapidly exchanging political opinions supplanting the buzz of insects as a sonic backdrop.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
  • On a muggy Florida night, Burton held off Kyle Busch by less than half a second to win the summer race.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Definition of muggy

Browse Nearby Words

humdrum
humid
humidified
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humid. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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