DROWN Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

drown

verb

ˈdrau̇n

Definition of drown

as in to flood

to cover with a flood whole villages drowned by the rampaging river

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to soak

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to wet

to make wet cooked pasta drowned in marinara sauce

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 drown Across Argentina, young borrowers like 20-year-old law student Martín Taborda are drowning in small loans that ballooned into unpayable debts, forcing them to abandon studies and basic expenses. — Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s attempts to strong-arm the bond market have been drowned out by the Iran war’s steady drumbeat, with oil back above $100 a barrel. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026 Or how my attempt to drown the world hurt anyone, other than myself. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026 According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, 34 people had already drowned on Lake Michigan on this day last year. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drown

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drown

Verb

Morgan Creek and Cove Creek will be particularly subject to flooding this morning.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2026
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimates that 300,000 to 500,000 people died, most from the surge flooding coastal islands and tidal flats.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of flood

Verb

The primary suite has dual walk-in closets, a soaking tub surrounded by 10-foot tumbled travertine stone walls, a steam shower, dry sauna and private fitness area.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Bathrooms are equipped with rain showers, motion-sensing Toto toilets, and soaking tubs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of soak

Verb

Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.

— Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of wet

Verb

Deputies noticed an apartment on the top floor engulfed in flames and evacuated the building’s residents, said Detective Joseph Peguero Rivera, a sheriff’s office spokesman.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2026
All that changed on August 26, when the port was engulfed by an enormous wave of water – as the first point of impact from a landslide and explosive flooding that then ripped into Nepal.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of engulf

Verb

Fortunately, labels both affordable and luxury are coming out with new takes on this trend like clockwork, saturating the market with colorful jackets for every personal aesthetic and practical need under the sun (or, more accurately, the rain).

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Below, the liquid blushes that make the case, from sheer to saturated.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of saturate

Verb

But behind the crisp white tablecloths, strict dress code and expensive steak dinners was a kitchen full of immigrant workers washing dishes, preparing food and keeping the restaurant running.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Now, to the handwashing shortcomings, such as a cashier handling customer’s payment, then preparing drinks and serving plates of food to customers without washing hands (cash and payment cards tend to be germ motherships).

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of wash

Verb

The architecture is striking without overwhelming its surroundings; the food celebrates the region with confidence, and the spa itself is reason enough to visit.

— Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
People indicated they were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of news, and in some cases felt isolated.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Verb

The deaths were spread across three towns in Suichuan county, where heavy rain drenched the area for days after Typhoon Saudel came ashore on China's east coast.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Jódar was drenched in sweat by early in the third set Wednesday, on a humid — but not intensely humid — day in New York despite the rain later.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of drench

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droves

drown

drowned

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“Drown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drown. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of drown

verb

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