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

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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

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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 Two decades ago, Resnick helped secure a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in the case of Andrea Yates, a Texas woman who drowned her five children in a bathtub. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 In June, a 5-year-old girl from San Bernardino was pulled into the ocean and drowned in Laguna Beach. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death an accident caused by complications of near-drowning, according to the newspaper. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 Andrea Yates, the Texas mother who drowned her five children in their bathtub in 2001, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2006 retrial. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 1 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

College football’s perpetual punching bag for offensive woes overwhelmed Northern Illinois in every facet of a 40-0 victory, and that included a modest passing day from co-starters Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Too many simultaneous launches can overwhelm employees, customers and operations, even when each project is technically on track.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Verb

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
Try a bright, patterned wallpaper, color-drench the walls and ceiling, or try out a dark paint color.

— Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of drench

Browse Nearby Words

droves

drown

drowned

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“Drown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drown. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of drown

verb

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