drench

Synonym Chooser

How is the word drench different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of drench are impregnate, saturate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

In what contexts can impregnate take the place of drench?

The words impregnate and drench can be used in similar contexts, but impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When might saturate be a better fit than drench?

The words saturate and drench are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

When could soak be used to replace drench?

While in some cases nearly identical to drench, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When would steep be a good substitute for drench?

The meanings of steep and drench largely overlap; however, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of drench The muscular American actor appears topless and drenched in sweat in the French fashion house’s latest images featuring the Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe, unveiled on Wednesday. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025 For those interested in a more timeless (and cautious) way to approach color-drenching, Garden Gate, Limestone, and others can make for a strong but nonetheless welcoming statement. Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 24 Sep. 2025 The master bedroom is drenched in Dulux Heritage’s Biscuit Beige for maximum warmth, and the bed was crafted by a local joiner before being painted by William Sutherland, one of the estate’s members, using folkloric stencils devised by resident designer, Bethany Evans. Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 Day one of the four-day festival was graced with clear weather, unlike in 2024, when Slayer’s headlining set was thwarted by remnants of Hurricane Helene that left the festival grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center drenched with rain. Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench
Verb
  • But the comedy is absolutely something that wets my beak, I'm drawn to it.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • What sold me on the Shapton set was the process of wetting the whetstones.
    Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Bahamas are still enduring Imelda’s winds and heavy rain after being soaked over the weekend, even as the storm started to move away Monday afternoon.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Then let the berries soak for 5-10 minutes.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • People fled to the roof, where the roar of rushing water nearly drowned out the approach of rescue helicopters, Mitchell said.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The risk of drowning for autistic children is more than 160 times greater than the general child population, according to a 2017 study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sherpa fleece, shearling wool, Mackinaw Wool and Filson’s Tin Cloth—a cotton duck canvas that’s saturated with wax under high pressure and heat—are featured alongside Wrangler’s classic cotton slub denim in indigo and black.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Then, sprinkle ½ cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer, like blood meal or soybean meal, across the top of each bale and water the bales deeply until they’re saturated and water runs through the base.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Inspectors gave the Sacramento coffee shop a yellow placard after watching an employee skip the sanitizer step when washing a tray of cups and forks.
    Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Remove screens to spray down with your garden hose and wash and squeegee the exterior glass.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In that four-year timeline, John had moved out several times and even impregnated a woman when he and Lorena were separated.
    Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In Episode 7, audiences finally got to see the creature in action after Arthur (David Rysdahl) is impregnated by the specimen, paying homage to Kane’s (John Hurt) death on the Nostromo.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The president responded by calling a special session and flooding the assembly with armed troops.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Reaction to the Grand Blanc Township violence Statements of support, shock and encouragement quickly flooded social media.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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