1
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
whole villages drowned by the rampaging river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soaking
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 wetting
to make wet
cooked pasta drowned in marinara sauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drowning
After drowning Noah, 7, John, 5, Paul, 3, Luke, 2, and 6-month-old Mary, Andrea called the police to confess.
—
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
New York — The gas pump has emerged as a rare source of relief for Americans drowning in higher prices — and that positive trend is expected to continue in 2026, regardless of the uncertainty in Venezuela.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
As with outdoor plants, overwatering in winter can lead to drowning the plant or root rot and fungal issues.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 4 Jan. 2026
The two-time Oscar winner stars as John Creasy, a broken former CIA operative drowning in regret and alcohol, now working as a bodyguard.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors and public defenders are drowning in digital data.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
Yes, in this holiday film, becoming a spinster librarian is framed as the narrative equivalent of murder, insanity, or drowning.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025
On May 18, Kiser's 3-year-old son Trigg died after a drowning accident at their home in Chandler, Arizona.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
New York — The gas pump has emerged as a rare source of relief for Americans drowning in higher prices — and that positive trend is expected to continue in 2026, regardless of the uncertainty in Venezuela.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
As with outdoor plants, overwatering in winter can lead to drowning the plant or root rot and fungal issues.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 4 Jan. 2026
The two-time Oscar winner stars as John Creasy, a broken former CIA operative drowning in regret and alcohol, now working as a bodyguard.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors and public defenders are drowning in digital data.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
Yes, in this holiday film, becoming a spinster librarian is framed as the narrative equivalent of murder, insanity, or drowning.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025
On May 18, Kiser's 3-year-old son Trigg died after a drowning accident at their home in Chandler, Arizona.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowning
Verb
-
Beijing will keep trying to export its way out, flooding global markets—an approach that most trading partners may absorb this year but won’t tolerate forever.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
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An old rusted pipe had burst in an area where many people lived in makeshift homes; water gushed out, flooding their homes.—
Saumya Roy,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For mop and broom heads and scrub brushes, remove any debris before soaking them in a bucket of hot water, soap, and a disinfecting solution.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The 20 accommodations at this 2025 World's Best Award-winning hotel range from manor rooms and suites to freestanding villas, each individually designed and outfitted with high-end touches like soaking tubs, fireplaces, and, in select units, private courtyards or outdoor hot tubs.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What sold me on the Shapton set was the process of wetting the whetstones.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Increase the resistance on this exercise by wetting the towel first.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Exactly a year ago, Pratt and Montag documented their family's evacuation from their Palisades home on social media, sharing security camera footage that showed the fire approaching and engulfing their desk.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the basement level before engulfing the upper floor.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But Starbucks is now struggling, and its strategy of saturating urban areas to draw coffee drinkers on their way to work in the morning has backfired amid competition, the rise of remote work and rising costs.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
29 Dec. 2025
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For occasional deep refreshes, coarse salt or baking soda can help lift stains without saturating the wood.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The checklist for cleaning the kitchen was probably just washing dirty dishes, wiping down countertops, and mopping the floors.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain good foot hygiene by washing feet at least daily.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Kovac has been cautious with the midfielder, gradually giving him minutes without overwhelming him.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Warm yellow lends itself well to color drenching a utilitarian space such as a laundry room, but also makes for a fun accent color for throw pillows or decorative pottery.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Jan. 2026
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DIYers can create a cohesive look by painting the ceiling in a shade from the same color palette as the walls—just a bit lighter or darker—to give it subtle contrast without fully color-drenching the space.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drowning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowning. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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