submerge

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verb sub·merge \ səb-ˈmərj \

Definition of submerge

submerged; submerging

transitive verb

1 :to put under water

2 :to cover or overflow with water

3 :to make obscure or subordinate :suppress

personal lives submerged by professional responsibilities

intransitive verb

:to go under water

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submergence

play \-ˈmər-jən(t)s\ noun

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submergible

play \-ˈmər-jə-bəl\ adjective

See submerge defined for English-language learners

See submerge defined for kids

Examples of submerge in a Sentence

After boiling the broccoli, submerge it in ice water to stop the cooking process.
The town was submerged by the flood.
We watched as the divers prepared to submerge.
She's a marvelous actress who submerges herself totally in her roles.

Recent Examples of submerge from the Web

The historic rainfall has the nation's fourth-largest city completely submerged.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "This Is What Houston Looks Like After Hurricane Harvey," 29 Aug. 2017
Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed to keep beans submerged, until beans are tender, 75–90 minutes.

— Bon Appetit, "Escarole with Cannellini Beans," 29 Aug. 2017
Records, especially baseball’s, which has become sabermetrically submerged, don’t seem to matter much anymore.

— nick canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Despite dope testing, shadows continue to hover over records," 19 Aug. 2017
Both the drill and angle grinder need to be air pressurized with a clever bicycle-style air pump before being submerged.

— dan dubno, Popular Mechanics, "The Power Tools That Work Underwater," 9 Aug. 2017
Now reality sets in for the Marlins, who open the second half on Friday night submerged in the standings, the July 31 trade deadline looming and negotiations involving the sale of the franchise ongoing.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "Marlins relievers Ramos, Phelps could be dealt at the July 31 deadline," 13 July 2017
The large mammals are buoyant in the water and swim fully submerged, using their trunks as snorkels.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "Watch: Elephant Rescued After Being Swept Out to Sea," 13 July 2017
Gently, but firmly, pull the single bone attached to the back of each cheek. Submerge cheeks in brine and set in refrigerator for 20 minutes.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Grouper cheeks | Red Herring recipe," 11 July 2017
Also, as many as 30 trees could die after being submerged for so long, said Jorgenson, whose 12-member forestry staff maintains about 45,000 trees in city parks and public right-of-ways.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Water damage to Ann Morrison Park brings some to tears," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'submerge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of submerge

Latin submergere, from sub- + mergere to plunge — more at merge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

submerge Synonyms

Synonyms

deluge, drown, engulf, gulf, inundate, overflow, overwhelm, flood, submerse, swamp

Antonyms

drain

Related Words

avalanche, smother; overcome, overrun; flow, flush, gush, pour, sluice, spout, spurt, stream; douse (also dowse), drench, soak, wet

Near Antonyms

dehydrate, dry, parch

SUBMERGE Defined for English Language Learners

submerge

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verb

Definition of submerge for English Language Learners

: to make (someone or something) go under the surface of water or some other liquid : to cover (someone or something) with a liquid
: to go underwater
: to make (yourself) fully involved in an activity or interest