Synonyms of engulf

engulf

verb

in-ˈgəlf 

as in to flood

to cover with a flood

high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flood
• overwhelm
• drown
• submerge
• inundate
• gulf
• swamp
• overflow
• deluge
• overcome
• submerse
• flush
• smother
• overrun
• flow
• wet
• stream
• avalanche
• spurt
• drench
• gush
• pour
• soak
• douse
• sluice
• spout

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drain
• dry
• dehydrate
• parch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of engulf

Hayden projected higher death levels in recent days in Chicago and Detroit, both of which have been engulfed by toxic air. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Warnings of unhealthful air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States due to smoke from Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze for days. — Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

Shop Cooling Summer Dresses at REI This summer has proven to be particularly brutal, with heat waves engulfing a massive portion of the country. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada engulf the New York City skyline, reducing visibility and casting an orange haze over the city, July 16, 2026. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 July 2026