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 weather service predicts a slow-moving system will drench the tri-county with up to four inches of rain starting Monday morning, with heaviest rainfall Monday afternoon through early Tuesday morning. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025 One remarkable example: A series of nine atmospheric rivers drenched California in December 2022 and January 2023, causing weeks of widespread flooding and alleviating a yearslong drought. Amy Graff, New York Times, 3 May 2025 The Heat, of course, flamed out of the NBA playoffs’ first-round drenched in epic humiliation, swept like dirt. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025 The walls are drenched in soothing hues like snowy white and smokey gray, while some wood and natural fibers accents lend the space some warmth and depth. Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench
Verb
  • Once seedlings are visible, water from below and, throughout the growth of your plants, never wet the foliage to minimize mildew development.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 May 2025
  • My clothes were wet with sweat on the inside and wet on the outside from a mixture of rain, snow and sleet, and some of the mist was freezing on the trees.
    Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Soiled suits can be soaked for half an hour first if needed.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • The Field House has lofted queen-size beds plus a separate bedroom; and the Bluebird Cottage comes with a fireside soaking tub and heated stone floors.
    Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Hundreds of caribou have drowned after breaking through the ice.
    Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
  • New founders often drown prospects in features, not value.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Research the local market to see if there’s room for growth or if the market is already saturated.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • But later that year, Republicans saturated campaigns with ads about gender, including attacks on Biden administration policies.
    Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Before washing, inspect the area for any cracks or damage and repair them as needed.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025
  • Brush the top of the pie with the egg yolk wash and sprinkle the surface with the raw cane sugar and remaining cardamom.
    Ellen Gray, Saveur, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • In 1961, his 13-year-old sister Kitty accused him of raping and impregnating her, according to Fred and Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • Clothing impregnated with permethrin is another option.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • On Friday, social media was flooded with clips of Fortnite’s Darth Vader talking with players in Jones’s iconic voice.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • The Midcentury Modern home of Justin Edwards, one half of the couple whose love story informs the show — an adaptation of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel — is flooded with work from Black Angelenos.
    Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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