flood 1 of 2

noun

ˈfləd How to pronounce flood (audio)
Definition of floodnext
as in torrent
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms a flood nearly wiped out the town a flood of messages on my computer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flood

2 of 2

verb

as in to engulf
to cover with a flood the lowlands were completely flooded angry calls flooded the radio station

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 flood
Noun
Ultimately, nearly 140 people died in last year's Texas floods, according to a National Weather Service report. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026
Verb
Despite the copious downpour that led to flooding across many parts of the country in the last two weeks, India still faces the prospect of a deficient monsoon this year. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 July 2026 England fans are flooding to Miami, with over 30,000 expected for the game as stories of last-minute trips via here, there and everywhere flow as freely as the drinks. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flood
  1. torrent
  2. engulf
  3. overwhelm
  4. drown
  5. submerge
  6. deluge
Noun
  • His second-guessing doesn’t stanch his inner torrent of bile, which continues through dinner with Irène and her mother, and goes on for another fifteen pages of emotional hypotheticals and conditionals.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
  • Most of the deaths were in Hengzhou, where the partial collapse of a reservoir dam sent torrents of water into the city and claimed 26 lives, said Ding Wei, the vice mayor of Nanning city, which has jurisdiction over the area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of torrent
Verb
  • Platner's withdrawal caps days of turmoil that had engulfed his campaign and intensifies pressure on Democratic leaders to quickly coalesce around an alternative candidate.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • That raised concerns that the region could tip back into a war that would engulf several countries and could halt energy shipments through the strait that are crucial for the global economy.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • After surviving a dramatic 3–2 extra-time victory over Senegal in the Round of 32, the Belgians overwhelmed the USMNT, which had advanced in a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026
  • The Americans played sloppy and ugly soccer in the first half, and Belgium overwhelmed the home side.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of overwhelm
Verb
  • According to police, detectives determined that Roper and the juvenile were present when Erving drowned but failed to report the incident and later discarded some of his belongings.
    — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • The incident occurred on the Elk River in Noel, Missouri, at the beach of the Two Sons Campground, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol drowning report.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
Definition of drown
Verb
  • Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of submerge
Verb
  • The severe weather is the latest in a history of catastrophic flooding in Kentucky, including deadly flash floods in early 2025 when more than a month’s worth of rain deluged much of the state in less than 24 hours.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • For years we’ve been deluged with stories about the Social Security system’s going broke in the early 2030s.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of deluge

Phrases Containing flood

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flogs
flood
flooded
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Cite this Entry

“Flood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flood. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flood

Nglish: Translation of flood for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flood

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