submerge

verb sub·merge \ səb-ˈmərj \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

—

submergence

play \səb-ˈmər-jən(t)s\ noun

—

submergible

play \səb-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

Kennedy, clearly driving while drunk, veers off a bridge into a shallow pond, flipping and submerging the car.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "Chappaquiddick Makes You Want to Know What Ted Kennedy Was Really Thinking," 12 Apr. 2018
Soak husks: Soak the corn husks in water overnight, keeping them submerged below the surface with a plate weighed down with a heavy can.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Grilled Walleye Wrapped in Corn Husks from Michael Symon (recipe)," 11 Apr. 2018
Hansen managed to haul Trey to shore after the crash, but Sri remained submerged in the ocean.

— jamie goldberg, OregonLive.com, "Through the death of her father and a battle with mental illness, Mana Shim perseveres," 7 Apr. 2018
The patrol car was found submerged in a lake about two weeks later.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Thief nabs cop car; cops nab suspect," 7 Apr. 2018
Marin County Fire assisting Sonoma County Fire with a vehicle submerged in water.

— amy lieu, Fox News, "'Pineapple Express' storm brings record rainfall, flood concerns, flight delays to Northern California," 7 Apr. 2018
On the counter, next to the candy and Topps baseball cards, was a jar of pickled pig feet submerged in vinegar.

— michael a. gonzales, The Root, "Roses," 25 Mar. 2018
That is turning into a pro-forma conceit, submerged on both sides beneath rising hatreds and retribution agendas.

— daniel henninger, WSJ, "Yes, Shut Down Mueller," 21 Mar. 2018
The escape ahead of Ivan saved lives, as the storm which devastated Gulf Shores submerged the zoo's property in 17-foot deep waters.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Tuskegee man killed in single-vehicle crash," 17 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

submerge Synonyms

SUBMERGE Defined for English Language Learners

submerge

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