1
as in wetting
to make wet
we were drenched by the sudden rainstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soaking
to wet thoroughly with liquid
when using the carpet shampooer, wet but do not drench the carpet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of drenching
The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.
—
CBS News, 19 June 2026
Sinks on the vanity have slanted, green marble angles giving them a trendy look, and the faucet’s water spray is equivalent to a drenching rainfall shower (wide, strong, and incredibly impressive).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Get into the habit of cleaning up splashes and spilled liquids promptly to prevent them from absorbing into the surface, and avoid drenching the floor with excessive amounts of water when cleaning.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026
El Niño is here A very strong El Niño often means drenching storms, flooding and mudslides in Southern California, as seen in the destructive winters of 1982-83, 1997-98 and the soaking 2023-24 season.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Melissa slammed Jamaica after drenching southern Haiti and parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rains before continuing on to Cuba.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Rainfall totals in the Kansas City area The storms packed a powerful punch, producing frequent lighting and thunder, prompting a tornado warning for parts of Clay and Jackson counties, and drenching some parts of the metro.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
With approval from the National Eczema Association, it’s packed with soothing ingredients like cucumber, glycerin, and ceramides that help calm irritation while drenching skin in lasting hydration and comfort.
—Kieaundria Bellamy, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Using the same color in your curtain choice will only elevate the color-drenching aesthetic.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
CBS News, 19 June 2026
Sinks on the vanity have slanted, green marble angles giving them a trendy look, and the faucet’s water spray is equivalent to a drenching rainfall shower (wide, strong, and incredibly impressive).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Get into the habit of cleaning up splashes and spilled liquids promptly to prevent them from absorbing into the surface, and avoid drenching the floor with excessive amounts of water when cleaning.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026
El Niño is here A very strong El Niño often means drenching storms, flooding and mudslides in Southern California, as seen in the destructive winters of 1982-83, 1997-98 and the soaking 2023-24 season.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Melissa slammed Jamaica after drenching southern Haiti and parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rains before continuing on to Cuba.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Rainfall totals in the Kansas City area The storms packed a powerful punch, producing frequent lighting and thunder, prompting a tornado warning for parts of Clay and Jackson counties, and drenching some parts of the metro.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
With approval from the National Eczema Association, it’s packed with soothing ingredients like cucumber, glycerin, and ceramides that help calm irritation while drenching skin in lasting hydration and comfort.
—Kieaundria Bellamy, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Using the same color in your curtain choice will only elevate the color-drenching aesthetic.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drenching
Verb
-
Irrigation should be applied at the base of the plant at the soil line to avoid wetting the blooms.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Irrigate at the base of plants to avoid wetting foliage, which can encourage plant diseases like black spot.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Out back, a secluded courtyard and soaking pool await.—
Sierra Vandervort,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
-
The fillets should be a little damp, but not soaking wet.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The 15-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and a death investigation was launched as is standard procedure with drowning incidents, the sheriff’s office said.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
-
On May 18, 2025, Kiser's 3-year-old son Trigg died after a drowning accident at their home in Chandler, Arizona.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Use only as much cleaning solution as necessary, and avoid saturating the area.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
Start by saturating the sponge with water and microwaving it on high for one to two minutes.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
If possible, unpack directly into the washing machine and run clothes on high heat for at least 30 minutes, both washing and drying.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
-
Recharge the balls by washing them in a mesh bag on a delicate cycle, then air-dry or run them through a drying cycle on high heat.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
But Niall arguably commits the deepest betrayal by sleeping with Ruben’s fiancée, Mona (Amy Manson), impregnating her, and keeping that information from Ruben for years.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
-
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Brayanne Escobar-Guarnizo was sentenced to 25 years in prison for raping and impregnating a 12-year-old girl.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Other speakers raised concerns about potential odors and air pollutants emanating from the wastewater treatment facility and about how the facility might exacerbate flooding in the area.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drenching. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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