drenching

verb

present participle of drench
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drenching Consider using the hue on foundational elements like tile, brick, bookshelves, wainscoting, or in color-drenching applications in small spaces like a mudroom or powder bath. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026 Destructive tornadoes and drenching storms pummeled the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including two waterspouts that came ashore in the New York City area. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 While salicylic acid has a reputation for drying out skin, the triple ceramide complex in this cream counteracts that by drenching skin in long-lasting moisture—up to a full day—after application. — Mary Honkus, Glamour, 18 Aug. 2026 The drenching rains and destructive flooding were among the impacts of severe storms that have wreaked havoc across the Midwest and beyond in recent days. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Lala is no longer a hurricane, but the tropical storm is drenching Hawaii with sideways rain, hurricane-force gusts and pounding surf, flooding rivers and triggering mudslides. — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 Fans line up Despite a drenching rain, spirits were high at Robin Roberts Stadium. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 Its forecast offices in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Tennessee warned that rainfall across each state could be persistent and widespread, potentially drenching parts of each state with another 4 inches or more. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 These drenching rains are expected to begin for the eastern side of the Big Island on Friday and continue through the weekend. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drenching
  1. wetting
  2. soaking
  3. drowning
  4. saturating
  5. washing
  6. impregnating
  7. flooding
Verb
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Pyne argues that Mediterranean Europe, much like California, is naturally predisposed to burn because of an annual cycle of wetting and drying.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of wetting
Verb
  • That becomes particularly dangerous in cities, where roads, parking lots and buildings prevent rain from soaking into the ground.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The unusually hot British summer has made the challenge even more demanding, resulting in Jackson soaking his clothes in cold water every morning to keep cool.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of soaking
Verb
  • Two of the remains found in 2022 belonged to drowning victims.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Port of Los Angeles forklift driver was wearing a life vest and was floating away, out to sea -- cold, worried about sharks and drowning.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of drowning
Verb
  • That creates an important exception for government agencies that test drugs and send out regular reports on what adulterants are saturating the drug supply in certain locations.
    — Scott Maucione, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Spray it onto a microfiber cloth and wipe your floors to avoid over-saturating them.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026
Definition of saturating
Verb
  • The magnesium fits alongside a skincare wind-down that includes washing her face with her brand’s Micellar Cleanser, applying its Prep Serum and using its Night Cream, sometimes with a few drops of Boosting Oil mixed in.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
  • To prevent an infection, the CDC recommends washing your hands and any fresh produce under running water before eating, preparing or cooking it.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of washing
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
Definition of impregnating
Verb
  • But with so many inexperienced agents flooding the industry, finding one who’s actually good has become a game of roulette.
    — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Too early to tell, but the Viceroy name will, no doubt, bring Americans, who are already flooding into Portugal for vacation and often, to settle.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of flooding

Browse Nearby Words

drenches
drenching
dress
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Cite this Entry

“Drenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drenching. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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