swamp

1 of 2

noun

ˈswämp 

ˈswȯmp

1

: a wetland often partially or intermittently covered with water

especially : one dominated by woody vegetation

2

: a tract of swamp

3

: a difficult or troublesome situation or subject

swamp adjective

swamp

2 of 2

verb

swamped; swamping; swamps

transitive verb

1

a

: to fill with or as if with water : inundate, submerge

b

: to overwhelm numerically or by an excess of something : flood

swamped with work

2

: to open by removing underbrush and debris

intransitive verb

: to become submerged

Synonyms of swamp

Noun

• marsh
• wetland

Verb

• flood
• engulf
• overwhelm
• drown

Examples of swamp in a Sentence

Noun

Alligators live in the lowland swamps.

be careful in the swamp, because alligators sometimes lurk there

Verb

The sea level rose and swamped the coastal villages.

The boat sank after it was swamped by waves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Found over the eastern half of the state in swamps and sluggish waterways, coastal marshes, rivers, ponds and streams. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 July 2026

As whole house fans and swamp coolers can suck additional pollutants inside, the department recommends using air purifiers or air conditioners as alternatives when possible. — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Verb

Word is Taylor Swift and her longtime stylist, Joseph Cassell, were swamped with sketches from designers from all over the world for this weekend’s wedding of music’s most famous pop star to football’s now most famous tight end. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

The researchers suspect that, during high solar activity, the signal from the planet’s magnetic influence is swamped. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps alteration of Middle English sompe, from Middle Dutch somp morass; akin to Middle High German sumpf marsh, Greek somphos spongy

First Known Use

Noun

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1784, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing swamp

• swamp buggy

Rhymes for swamp

• comp
• pomp
• pompe
• romp
• stomp

Kids Definition

swamp

1 of 2 noun

ˈswämp 

ˈswȯmp

: wet spongy land often partly covered with water

swamp

2 of 2 verb

1

: to fill or become filled with or as if with water

2

: overwhelm sense 2

was swamped with work