FLOODING Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

flooding

verb

present participle of flood

as in engulfing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 flooding The main threat from the storm is flooding rain, with up to 9 inches possible in some areas. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Hurricane Milton, the second of which, tore all the Teflon panels off the Trop’s roof flooding the inside of the facility. — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The first flooding rain threat began Sunday afternoon and continued overnight into Monday, with the heaviest rainfall tracking through Pennsylvania and New York State into New Jersey and New York City overnight. — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 After flooding the courtyard, crushing vehicles and destroying part of one of the surrounding buildings, the liquid flowed into the buildings’ lower floors, where workers were holding morning meetings. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Fears of further flooding complicated recovery efforts, as authorities searched for people missing after floods struck the Himalayan border between Nepal and China. — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 But with so many inexperienced agents flooding the industry, finding one who’s actually good has become a game of roulette. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026 Too early to tell, but the Viceroy name will, no doubt, bring Americans, who are already flooding into Portugal for vacation and often, to settle. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 After an active Thursday filled with severe storms, flooding rain and tornado warnings, Friday will be a nice end to the workweek. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flooding

Verb

Those officials moved into these elevated positions in the months following the Herald/Times’ reporting on the scandal engulfing the embattled charity.

— Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
As a parent who has purchased my share of scary Halloween costumes, I was particularly disturbed by the controversy now engulfing Target.

— Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of engulfing

Verb

Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu said Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Oliver has been away from Buffalo's facility for periods this summer in the aftermath of his son, also named Ed, drowning in June at a residential pool in Houston.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of drowning

Verb

After all, there’s a reason why IVF has overwhelming bipartisan support.

— Dr. Jaime Knopman, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
To channel this sense of joyful minimalism, pair a bold color with playful accents, rich textures, and meaningful décor that brings personality to the space without overwhelming it.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Verb

Stir in the basil, if using, submerging the leaves to prevent browning, then drop in the Thai chilies (if using).

— Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
During the eclipse, the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily submerging parts of the region in darkness.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of submerging

Verb

According to officials, catastrophic flooding in January 1997 devastated the species, inundating Caswell Memorial State Park and roughly 70 square miles between Manteca and Tracy.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Like many other large cities, much of Los Angeles’ vast network of water mains and trunk lines were installed at the turn of the 20th century and are at risk of breaking, disrupting service and potentially inundating communities with water.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of inundating

Browse Nearby Words

floodgates

flooding

floodlight

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flooding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flooding. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of flooding

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes