SUBMERSE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

submerse

verb

səb-ˈmərs

Definition of submerse

as in to engulf

to cover with a flood a week of nonstop rain that submersed the cornfields and delayed planting for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to immerse

to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid those hardy souls who daily submerse themselves in icy cold water for its invigorating effect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 submerse Its short and light body is easy to grip yet can take a drop or be submersed in up to 2 meters of water. — Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 25 Apr. 2023 Use an eyedropper to apply it or submerse the stain in the stuff for 15 minutes. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 15 Nov. 2018 With gills that flare out when submersed, the salamander looks similar to the axolotl, a relative. — National Geographic, 19 June 2018 People often submerse themselves in water to ease their suffering, allowing the worm to release larva that then infect others. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026 With rooms that open to the ocean for dining alfresco while above water, and large viewing galleries for taking in the marine life when submersed, the Migaloo creates that harmony. — Dave Banks, Fox News, 25 Apr. 2016 Pioneer Day gives families an opportunity to submerse themselves into that time period and to learn through hands on activity. — Gina Grillo, chicagotribune.com, 25 June 2019 The Downriver Mutual Aid Dive Team is expected to search water alongside eastbound Interstate 94 and Ecorse after a car was submersed in water after a crash. — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for submerse

Verb

Platner's withdrawal caps days of turmoil that had engulfed his campaign and intensifies pressure on Democratic leaders to quickly coalesce around an alternative candidate.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026
That raised concerns that the region could tip back into a war that would engulf several countries and could halt energy shipments through the strait that are crucial for the global economy.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of engulf

Verb

The filmmaker, producer and lifelong collector, 45, has spent decades immersed in the world of movie props and memorabilia.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
The second involved filling a salad spinner with water and immersing the berries for one minute while stirring them by hand before draining and spinning them for 10 seconds.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Definition of immerse

Verb

News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Video from the store's security camera captured the collapse, showing a portion of the roof fall near the bakery section as a deluge of water flooded the interior.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of flood

Verb

Wall Street was mixed in light trading early Thursday as chip stocks fell further and oil prices dipped near their levels before the Iran war began.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
The number of Tarrant County kindergartners vaccinated against measles dipped slightly last school year, according to the latest data.

— Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Definition of dip

Verb

The subs never actually submerged—passengers simply sat below the lagoon’s waterline—but the ride embodied a growing appetite for underwater tourism.

— Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Soon, the pump station was submerged, the engines stopped, and water pressure plummeted across most of the city.

— Kansas City Public Library staff, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Definition of submerge

Verb

The death marked the fourth fatal drowning on the Lake of the Ozarks in 2026, according to the patrol’s data.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
The team’s supporters filled a few compact sections, islands of green drowned out in a sea of blue Kylian Mbappé jerseys.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 6 July 2026

Definition of drown

Verb

After surviving a dramatic 3–2 extra-time victory over Senegal in the Round of 32, the Belgians overwhelmed the USMNT, which had advanced in a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026
The Americans played sloppy and ugly soccer in the first half, and Belgium overwhelmed the home side.

— Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Browse Nearby Words

submerging

submerse

submersed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Submerse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submerse. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of submerse

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effulgence

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes