saturate 1 of 2

saturate

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word saturate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of saturate are drench, impregnate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

In what contexts can drench take the place of saturate?

In some situations, the words drench and saturate are roughly equivalent. However, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

When could impregnate be used to replace saturate?

While the synonyms impregnate and saturate are close in meaning, impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Where would soak be a reasonable alternative to saturate?

Although the words soak and saturate have much in common, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When would steep be a good substitute for saturate?

While in some cases nearly identical to saturate, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

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 saturate
Verb
Cut the grass short, water to saturate the soil, then cover with clear (not black) plastic. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025 One nearby property owner spoke against the project, saying that the market has become saturated with townhomes and those sitting unsold on the market show the area does not need more. Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 3 July 2025
Adjective
Chief among them are efforts to train crews to identify and treat an overdose and a push to saturate fleets with naloxone, the opioid antagonist, commonly administered as a nasal spray under the trade name Narcan, that can reverse overdoses and retrieve a fading patient from a mortal slide. C.j. Chivers James Patrick Cronin Elena Hecht Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 6 June 2024 To give the vinegar a longer working time, saturate paper towels and press them against the glass like wallpaper. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for saturate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saturate
Verb
  • The colorful upper is breathable and moisture-wicking to keep your feet from getting sweaty or soaked by rain.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 10 July 2025
  • Valenzuela adds that watering in the morning ensures there's sufficient time for the water to soak deep into the soil before the heat of the day.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • While this rainfall is not expected to be as extreme as last weekend, the threshold for flash flooding to develop is lower due to the ground being very saturated from recent heavy rain in the region.
    Dan Peck, ABC News, 12 July 2025
  • The saturated ground means even minimal rainfall can trigger further flooding, complicating rescue efforts.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Each year, stories of people acting heroically to rescue others from the water turn tragic when the rescuers end up caught in the rip currents and drown.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Truckee police were searching Friday for a possible drowning victim in Donner Lake, said department officials.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • One video depicted water from the ceiling drenching the lobby, as well as the candy counter of a concessions stand.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2025
  • After all the fussing and fidgeting exerted in trying to nail just the right mix of comic book action, comedy and pathos, the movie emerges as a tone-deaf mishmash of underdeveloped characters, half-baked humor and unhatched plotting drenched in CGI overkill.
    Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Carpenter's storyline in Angel's fourth season proved very controversial with fans, as Cordelia is possessed and impregnated by the deity Jasmine, then unceremoniously left in a coma.
    Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
  • The father had reportedly impregnated his daughter in the past, according to the serious incident report.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Six Senses Rome not only allows travelers to immerse in the city’s culture and history but also provides options for relaxation.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Travelers come from across the globe to hike the trails, gaze in awe at the falls and granite rockfaces, and immerse themselves in the enchantment of the park.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Saturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saturate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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