ENGULF Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

engulf

verb

in-ˈgəlf

Definition of engulf

as in to flood

to cover with a flood high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community

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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 engulf Colbert made no mention of the drama that engulfed his late night show near its finale. — Maureen Chowdhury, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 Upon arrival, the officers discovered a vehicle completely engulfed in flames. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2026 The jumpers all seemed to come from the floors that were engulfed in flames. — Timothy Townsend, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 The relationship news came at the same time that Taylor and Dakota were engulfed in an ongoing legal battle. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Recent Examples of Synonyms for engulf

Verb

The policy is making the British glass industry more expensive than the cheap imports from China and Turkey which are flooding the market.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
The announcement came almost a week after parts of Connecticut experienced flash flooding on Sunday, which dropped more than 7 inches of rain over a short period of time on the shoreline and left many roads flooded.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of flood

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 film is also Diop’s first narrative film, taking the court case of Fabienne Kabou, a Senegalese French woman who was ultimately convicted of murder for drowning her child, as inspiration.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Nobody wanted to look at it or think about those five children being drowned in Andrea Yates’s bathtub.

— Jaha Nailah Avery, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of drown

Verb

Car wrecks and other mishaps lead to people disappearing, only to be later found submerged underwater.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
The Nautilus was capable of remaining submerged for extended periods and traveling at unprecedented speeds, marking a significant advancement in naval technology.

— USA Today, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of submerge

Browse Nearby Words

engrossment

engulf

engulfed

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“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engulf. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of engulf

verb

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