engulf

verb

en·gulf | \ in-ˈgəlf

How to pronounce engulf (audio)

, en- \

engulfed; engulfing; engulfs

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

Other Words from engulf Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about engulf

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Synonyms & Antonyms for engulf

Synonyms

Antonyms

drain

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 on the Web Last summer politicians were quick to assume that the coronavirus had been squashed, only for a second wave to engulf much of Europe and North America in the autumn. — The Economist, "Daily chart Covid-19 cases are rising again in much of the world," 19 Mar. 2021 The father of an intrepid youngster prepares her for the end of the world, when melting ice caps release fearsome beasts, called aurochs, and rising flood waters threaten to engulf their Delta home. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘My Fair Lady’; ‘Marry Poppins’," 19 Mar. 2021 The price of maintaining the suburban illusion—an expanding bubble that threatens to engulf the rest of America—proves too high. — Stephanie Burt, The New Yorker, "We Live in the World of “WandaVision”," 11 Mar. 2021 One year since the first wave threatened to engulf the nation, Covid-19 has reoriented business and spending in the United States in ways once thought unfathomable. — NBC News, "The year that could have been: How the pandemic derailed Trump's economic plans," 9 Mar. 2021 Here, tens of thousands of San Diegans are still out of work over a year after the pandemic first started to engulf our region. — Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, "What to do when your occupation is no longer around," 8 Mar. 2021 Investigators say Warner, 63, used an RV packed with explosives to engulf a city block at about 6:30 a.m. Christmas morning. — Adam Tamburin, USA TODAY, "Suspect in Christmas Day bombing in Nashville acted alone and was driven by 'paranoia,' FBI says," 15 Mar. 2021 The father of an intrepid youngster prepares her for the end of the world, when melting ice caps release fearsome beasts, called aurochs, and rising flood waters threaten to engulf their Delta home. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘Gandhi’; ‘Forrest Gump’ and more," 26 Feb. 2021 Severe weather emergency shelters are now open throughout Portland in response to a winter storm watch predicting snow, ice, winds and temperatures in the 20s expected to engulf the western part of Oregon Thursday through Saturday. — oregonlive, "Nearly 300 additional Portland shelter beds open as winter storm looms," 11 Feb. 2021

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.

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Dictionary Entries near engulf

engysseismology

Statistics for engulf

Last Updated

12 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 18 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for engulf

engulf

verb

English Language Learners Definition of engulf

: to flow over and cover (someone or something)

See the full definition for engulf in the English Language Learners Dictionary

engulf

verb

en·gulf | \ in-ˈgəlf

\

engulfed; engulfing

Kids Definition of engulf

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.

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