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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 engulf Following a large explosion inside the garage that quickly engulfed the house in flames, Thomas ran out of the home holding a shotgun, and several police officers opened fire at him. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 Previous flights ended with the spacecraft engulfed in flames and exploding at splashdown — or rupturing in midair. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 25 July 2026 As flames engulfed the house, responding officers evacuated neighboring homes to protect nearby residents. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 Previous flights ended with the spacecraft engulfed in flames and exploding at splashdown -- or rupturing in midair. — Arkansas Online, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Recent Examples of Synonyms for engulf

Verb

In one image, a young sitter with the Arabic word for ‘justice’ painted on her cheek gazes sensuously into the camera, while flooding the frame with wafts of smoke.

— Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
As the midterm elections kick into gear after Labor Day, Americans’ social feeds will be flooded with political videos.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of flood

Verb

That brightness will overwhelm many of the faint Delta Aquariid meteors, leaving only the brightest examples visible.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
This was often seen as a proxy for player skill, as more advanced players could better handle the cognitive rush of commanding dozens of units across multiple fronts, presumably leading to more effective play, eventually overwhelming the opponent.

— Nnamdi Iregbulem, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Verb

The floods submerged about one-third of the country, killed 1,737 people and displaced millions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
She was pronounced dead July 23 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center after being submerged in the river.

— Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Definition of submerge

Browse Nearby Words

engrossment

engulf

engulfed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engulf. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of engulf

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on engulf

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

mitigate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes