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drown

verb

ˈdrau̇n How to pronounce drown (audio)
Definition of drownnext
1
as in to flood
to cover with a flood whole villages drowned by the rampaging river

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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 Crump and Wells’ parents questioned how the panel could determine Wells likely drowned, when both the official and independent autopsies said the cause of death could not be determined. — Sophie Bates, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Both Crump and Wells' parents questioned how the panel could determine Wells drowned, when both the official and independent autopsies said the cause of death could not be determined. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Doyle, meanwhile, decided to drown his detective in 1893, two and a half years after introducing him to readers of The Strand Magazine. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 That means the conclusion was reached by ruling out other causes rather than by direct evidence of drowning. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drown
  1. flood
  2. soak
  3. wet
  4. engulf
  5. saturate
  6. wash
  7. overwhelm
  8. drench
Verb
  • Images of hospitals overwhelmed with the sick and dying flooded our consciousness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • While flooding itself will not be expected across a wide area, the opportunity for strong flood events does look elevated for the state starting in December.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • To grow these versatile microgreens, soak their seeds for at least eight hours before sowing in full to partial sun and well-draining soil.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Rooms come with rainfall showerheads or soaking tubs, mini cheesecakes by the beds each night, and iPads with software for making quick reservations.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of soak
Verb
  • Crumble up and wet a small piece, then gently rub it over spots and stains.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 13 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of wet
Verb
  • The timing of her return surely coincides with the circumstances surrounding her near death and the grim mysteries that have engulfed the slow horses.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Milestones evoking 2007 tend to make investors squeamish, conjuring up unpleasant memories of the financial crisis that engulfed global markets in 2008.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • The salutation will kick off a three-day visit that's expected to be saturated with pomp, even by White House standards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The salutation kicks off a three-day visit that’s expected to be saturated with pomp, even by White House standards.
    — Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of saturate
Verb
  • Additionally, the project’s closed-loop water system prevents nutrients from washing into nearby rivers, where runoff from conventional cotton production can contribute to eutrophication.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • From SheetsGate to purposefully washing Joy’s uniforms with rags, the laundry room has unleashed something deranged in Gen.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of wash
Verb
  • Images of hospitals overwhelmed with the sick and dying flooded our consciousness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • These had worked adequately for isolated farmers, but too many could overwhelm the absorptive capacity of the ground—especially if sprinklers were watering the lawns—causing effluent to rise to the surface or enter waterways.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of overwhelm
Verb
  • Central Valley flood infrastructure at risk For the Central Valley, Monday’s executive order will help to coordinate the state’s floodwater infrastructure ahead of any drenching rains to come.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Bad Paint Choices and Jobs Buyers can get turned off by overly bold paint colors, whether on a single focal wall or drenching an entire room.
    — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of drench

Browse Nearby Words

droves
drown
drowned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drown. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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