DRENCH Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

drench

verb

ˈdrench

Definition of drench

as in to wet

to make wet we were drenched by the sudden rainstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid when using the carpet shampooer, wet but do not drench the carpet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Flash flooding inundated parts of South Texas on Tuesday, July 14, after torrential rainfall drenched the region and prompted multiple high-water rescues. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 July 2026 Bluhme initially tried to carry Tokyo down, but at 24 kilograms (53 pounds) that proved too difficult – especially as they were being drenched by heavy rain. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 Ever had a shrimp alfredo taco or chicken drenched in cranberry barbecue sauce? — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026 In southern China, authorities announced Thursday that 39 people had died in flooding from Tropical Storm Maysak, which drenched parts of the Guangxi region for days with record rainfall. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for drench

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench

Verb

Reduce irrigation to only once or twice a week to wet the soil to help control this problem.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Then add a second layer of sand, sweep it into place, and wet it down.

— Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2026

Definition of wet

Verb

Summer Lake Hot Springs is a standout, with its smattering of rustic but cozy casitas and indoor and outdoor mineral hot springs soaking pools.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026
Deep clean blinds by soaking vinyl or plastic ones or spot-cleaning fabric and wooden types.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of soak

Verb

When Rodri collected his Golden Ball award, having been voted player of the tournament, the Argentina supporters drowned it out with chants for Messi.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
But they were outnumbered three or four to one by Argentina fans, who drowned them out with long flat roars whenever their team repelled a Spanish shot, or bundled a player off the pitch.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of drown

Verb

Oh, and definitely hit up Fishetarian (two minutes down the road) for a killer Dungeness crab melt and Captain Davey’s Espresso (also just two minutes down the road) for an affogato to wash it all down.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water.

— Savannah Peters, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Definition of wash

Verb

My favorite titles reveal that the land of love can be treacherous terrain—migration, murder, parental illness, a stranger impregnated.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Nudibranchs often have a less violent coexchange of sperm, though some engage in phallic fights to see who gets to impregnate whom.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

Definition of impregnate

Verb

Businesses that had never flooded before were suddenly underwater.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
At some point in the mid-1850s, the river Padma suddenly carved a new path through the village of his ancestors in modern-day Bangladesh, flooding their homes and scattering them across the Indian subcontinent.

— Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Definition of flood

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“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of drench

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