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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
That outside spending has helped flood mailboxes and the airwaves with advertisements. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Neighbors say the road sometimes becomes impassable during floods, which could leave visitors stranded at the park. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Eala supporters flooded the main stadium this week during her matches waving Philippines flags, and sometimes even clapping for opponents missed serves (a tennis etiquette no-no). — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Regardless, numerous roads remain flooded and impassible, including East Pine Street, Riverside Drive, Westfield Road, and Welcome Baptist Church Road. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Aug. 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
  • The torrent’s force moved boulders more than 20 feet in diameter and weighing more than 275 tons, equivalent to the heft of more than 150 Subaru Outbacks.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
  • Her fight is interrupted by Percy (Walker Scobell), who brings down a torrent of water over the Laestrygonian.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026
Definition of torrent
Verb
  • The resulting, room-sized artwork engulfed visitors in a swirling fantasia featuring bouncing balls, morphing nets and slow-motion action shots of Messi.
    — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 29 July 2026
  • Between July and August 2003, Western Europe was engulfed by its hottest summer since meteorological records began in 1540.
    — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • That brightness will overwhelm many of the faint Delta Aquariid meteors, leaving only the brightest examples visible.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • This was often seen as a proxy for player skill, as more advanced players could better handle the cognitive rush of commanding dozens of units across multiple fronts, presumably leading to more effective play, eventually overwhelming the opponent.
    — Nnamdi Iregbulem, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of overwhelm
Verb
  • More than 80 migrants died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple media outlets reported that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the body as Best on Monday afternoon and ruled his cause of death as drowning.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of drown
Verb
  • The floods submerged about one-third of the country, killed 1,737 people and displaced millions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • She was pronounced dead July 23 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center after being submerged in the river.
    — Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Definition of submerge
Verb
  • Disaster can strike in regions unaccustomed to their fury, as North Carolinians in the western end of the state painfully learned in 2024 as Hurricane Helene deluged the region.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The water main break also flooded streets in the area, deluging parked cars.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 July 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 6 Aug. 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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