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 restaurant sells weekend breakfast tacos, a variety of traditional tacos and queso drenched fries. Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 He’s been scorched by the sun and drenched by the rain. Shari Rudavsky, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 And Chicago might get drenched again on Sunday, if those forecasts are correct. Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 6 July 2025 She was drenched in sweat and foaming at the mouth. Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for drench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench
Verb
  • Traditional evaporators don’t work well in wet weather, but this new material stands up much better to wetting and drying, just like the rainforest birds that inspired it.
    Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
  • Use a garden hose or power washer to thoroughly wet the rug.
    Karen Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The colorful upper is breathable and moisture-wicking to keep your feet from getting sweaty or soaked by rain.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 10 July 2025
  • Valenzuela adds that watering in the morning ensures there's sufficient time for the water to soak deep into the soil before the heat of the day.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Each year, stories of people acting heroically to rescue others from the water turn tragic when the rescuers end up caught in the rip currents and drown.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Truckee police were searching Friday for a possible drowning victim in Donner Lake, said department officials.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • There have been major changes to feed zones this year, with rules introduced by the UCI, cycling’s world governing body, to stop major teams from saturating the route with support, putting smaller squads at a disadvantage.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • But, these days, as influencers, artificial intelligence, and horrifying headlines saturate the internet, what’s the point of posting?
    Daniel A. Gross, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The worker then pointed across the lot to Norman — who was washing someone’s car, tending to his summer job, minding his business.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • Often problems arise from short-term pollution, which can happen during heavy rainfall that washes waste from sewage plants into the water.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Carpenter's storyline in Angel's fourth season proved very controversial with fans, as Cordelia is possessed and impregnated by the deity Jasmine, then unceremoniously left in a coma.
    Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
  • The father had reportedly impregnated his daughter in the past, according to the serious incident report.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Previous storms have flooded Mason’s building, damaging appliances and furniture, but this time she was mostly spared.
    William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Thousands of comments flooded the platform owned by Trump.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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