submerse

verb

səb-ˈmərs How to pronounce submerse (audio)
Definition of submersenext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 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 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 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 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submerse
  1. engulf
  2. immerse
  3. flood
  4. dip
  5. submerge
  6. drown
  7. overwhelm
Verb
  • The wreck of a steam tugboat dating from the early 1900s is the latest relic to emerge from shrinking waters in Serbia as Europe's rivers run dry, with the continent engulfed in prolonged, extreme heat and drought.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Firefighters struggled to reach people trapped on the upper floors as thick smoke engulfed the building, a police officer told the news agency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • Like Wenders’ 2023 documentary Anselm, on German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer, From Inside Out was shot in 3D to immerse viewers in the spaces that Zumthor creates.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • From the outset, the show immerses audiences in 1930s New York, and while set in a noir world, there’s a modern aspect to it too.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of immerse
Verb
  • Since the first attack July 18 in Elektrostal, just east of Moscow, and in the southwestern Tambov region, Wildberries depots burned one after another in massive fires that flooded social media.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Following the news of Panettiere’s death at age 36 on Sunday, fans have flooded TikTok to pay tribute to the actress and her many beloved roles throughout her career.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • In terms of lead or co-lead roles, women and girls have seen progress (38 films in 2025 compared to 20 in 2007), but the figure dipped from the 19-year high of 55 lead/co-lead roles in 2024.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Even though the forecast for this year is solid, with Cisco projecting revenue growth of about 15%, analysts see sales growth dipping next fiscal year back into the single digits.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • Drone footage shared by the city showed houses, vehicles and roads submerged in muddy floodwater.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Satellite images also have shown that the tanker is increasingly submerged, and experts have warned of an unprecedented environmental disaster if the vessel sinks or breaks open and leaks its entire cargo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of submerge
Verb
  • At least 115 people were crushed to death or drowned in the river below.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the whirlpools of history spin, and ordinary people, good and bad alike, drown in them.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of drown
Verb
  • Ukraine has increasingly launched swarms of hundreds of drones in an attempt to overwhelm Russian air defenses.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Those wanting to dip their toe for the first time in either genre won’t be overwhelmed.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of overwhelm

Browse Nearby Words

submerging
submerse
submersed
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Cite this Entry

“Submerse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submerse. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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