ENGULF Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

engulf

verb

in-ˈgəlf

Definition of engulf

as in to flood

to cover with a flood high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community

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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 engulf That is to say nothing of periodic smaller disasters, such as last year's Texas floods that engulfed young campers; the Los Angeles wildfires that chewed through entire neighborhoods; and Typhoon Kalmaegi, which walloped Vietnam and the Philippines. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 That is to say nothing of periodic smaller disasters, such as last year’s Texas floods that engulfed young campers; the Los Angeles wildfires that chewed through entire neighborhoods; and Typhoon Kalmaegi, which walloped Vietnam and the Philippines. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 Saturday, where arriving crews found the front of the house engulfed in flames. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Gulf Construction’s report was published in August last year and, of course, since then the Middle East has been engulfed in a war which has brought shipping to the region almost to a standstill. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Recent Examples of Synonyms for engulf

Verb

The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

— MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
And on July 12, 2008, two undocumented immigrants drowned as a wash near Nogales flooded in a heavy thunderstorm.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flood

Verb

Deputies riding Sea-Doos on July 18 rescued three swimmers not wearing life jackets who were close to drowning on Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The turbine room could have filled with water if the emergency shutdown systems failed, potentially drowning anyone inside.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drown

Verb

In Nepal, images showed roads buried beneath thick layers of mud, homes partially submerged and survivors being carried or transported to safer areas.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
In the affected areas, houses, trees and vehicles were seen submerged or buried in mudslides.

— Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of submerge

Browse Nearby Words

engrossment

engulf

engulfed

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“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engulf. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of engulf

verb

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