Definition of engulf
transitive verb
1 : to flow over and enclose : overwhelm the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island
2 : to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
From the M-W Editors
Examples of engulf in a Sentence
The valley was engulfed in a thick fog.
high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community
Recent Examples of engulf from the Web
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Although the judge threw out the case, the complaint foreshadowed legal complexities that would engulf school bathrooms in the second half of the century.
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Aerial images from the scene showed flames engulfing the sailboat.
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When NOPD arrived, the Jeep was on its driver's side and fully engulfed in flames.
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The fire quickly engulfed the truck and sent a large plume of black smoke billowing into the sky.
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Then, a huge fireball engulfs a building, forcing the cars to scramble to get away.
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Witnesses say the driver's side was completely engulfed in flames when Finnen pulled the woman out of the vehicle.
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Certainly Brunetti, like his native city, is repeatedly engulfed: by sadness, by humanity.
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Less than a year after Brazil’s president was impeached, her successor is at the center of explosive bribery allegations in the ever-widening corruption probe that has engulfed the country’s leadership class.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'engulf'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
1555
First Known Use of engulf
1555
ENGULF Defined for English Language Learners
engulf
playDefinition of engulf for English Language Learners
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: to flow over and cover (someone or something)
ENGULF Defined for Kids
engulf
playDefinition of engulf for Students
engulfed
;engulfing
1 : to flow over and cover or surround The town was engulfed by the flood.
2 : to be overwhelmed by He was engulfed by fear.
Learn More about engulf
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for engulf Spanish Central: Translation of engulf Nglish: Translation of engulf for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of engulf for Arabic speakers
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