Synonyms of drown

drown

verb

ˈdrau̇n 

1

as in to flood

to cover with a flood

whole villages drowned by the rampaging river

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flood
• engulf
• overwhelm
• submerge
• inundate
• swamp
• gulf
• deluge
• overflow
• overcome
• flush
• submerse
• smother
• flow
• wet
• stream
• overrun
• gush
• pour
• avalanche
• drench
• soak
• spurt
• douse
• spout
• sluice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drain
• dry
• dehydrate
• parch

2

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid

drowned the carpet with shampoo, and so it took forever to dry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soak
• saturate
• drench
• impregnate
• submerge
• steep
• immerse
• macerate
• wash
• dip
• sodden
• sop
• inundate
• penetrate
• water
• souse
• bathe
• swamp
• marinate
• seethe
• waterlog
• permeate
• infiltrate
• moisten
• douse
• water-soak
• hydrate
• dampen
• damp
• swill
• humidify
• presoak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• wring (out)
• drain
• empty
• dehydrate
• void
• sear
• desiccate
• parch
• dehumidify

3

as in to wet

to make wet

cooked pasta drowned in marinara sauce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wet
• wash
• flood
• water
• bathe
• soak
• rinse
• drench
• douse
• submerge
• sodden
• waterlog
• wet down
• flush
• damp
• sop
• inundate
• dip
• water-soak
• mist
• sprinkle
• moisten
• splash
• bedraggle
• souse
• swamp
• shower
• saturate
• deluge
• drizzle
• dampen
• hydrate
• overflow
• humidify
• moisturize
• irrigate
• hose (down)
• impregnate
• bedew
• steep
• slosh
• lave
• duck
• asperse
• sluice
• dunk
• rehydrate
• rewash
• rewet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• evaporate
• dehydrate
• scorch
• desiccate
• sear
• parch
• dewater
• wring
• dehumidify
• freeze-dry
• drip-dry

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of drown

Although most of the migrants have since gone back, more than 80 migrants died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

The barrier islands have a history of powerful currents and drowning deaths — but the Wells’ family lawyer, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, voiced skepticism on the notion that the teenager may have drowned. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Screams and gunshots drowned out the speaker’s voice, Hicks said a day later. — Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026

According to information provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a Fort Myers home after receiving reports that a man was trying to drown and strike a 2-month-old kitten named Luna. — Steven Yablonski, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026