engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
engulfed; engulfing; engulfs

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
engulfment noun

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
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.
Sudan has been engulfed in a bloody civil war since April 2023, when a power struggle between RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, and Sudanese Armed Forces leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan escalated into open conflict. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025 Last year’s Camerimage was engulfed in controversy after festival founder and CEO Marek Żydowicz published an Op-Ed that appeared to argue that admitting the work of more female cinematographers would mean compromising on artistic quality. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025 As flames began to engulf the American House senior living community in Southgate, first responders ran into the building and began assisting residents out, police body camera footage shows. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Members of Congress wrote to NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Friday, asking him to provide a briefing by October 31 relating to the gambling scandal that engulfed the league earlier this week. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

engulf

verb
en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
engulfment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on engulf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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