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
However, if the soil stays saturated for a while, plant roots start to die and this leads to issues like root rot and plant decline. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025 Make sure that the soil around the cutting stays moist, but not saturated, in the months to come. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
However, even when hair is dry and thick, experts advise washing at least twice a week to remove all the residues that can accumulate on the scalp, and that saturate and weaken the hair. Ana Morales, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2023 To use, spray directly on the stain and saturate well. Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for saturate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saturate
Verb
  • Photo : Nils Timm The primary bath comes with a soaking tub and two-person shower.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2025
  • This removes dirt and grease that might get in the way of the mask, thoroughly soaking into the shaft of the hair.
    BestReviews, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Seed oils have become a mainstay of the American diet because unlike beef tallow, which is comprised of saturated fats that increase cholesterol levels, seed oils contain unsaturated fats that can decrease cholesterol levels.
    Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Peanuts Peanuts have a beneficial fatty acid profile, containing 50% MUFAs, about 30% PUFAs, and a significantly lower percentage of saturated fats.
    Lauren O'Connor, MS, Health, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The most important thing is to drown out the noise, forget the optics, and focus on creating your most loving experience on Valentine’s Day and beyond.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
  • In 2013, the Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano nearly drowned when a blockage in his suit’s cooling system flooded his helmet with water.
    Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His dad’s pain-medication bottles were mostly empty, and the apartment was drenched in blood.
    Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
  • At a street crossing, a man in a wheelchair was getting drenched while waiting for the light to turn green.
    Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • An Amber Alert has been issued for a pregnant Wisconsin teen, who police believe is with the 40-year-old man who impregnated her.
    Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Listen to this article An Amber Alert has been issued for pregnant Wisconsin teen Sophia Franklin who is believed to be with the 40-year-old man who impregnated her.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Released by Ava Duvernay’s Array, the latter weaves together three stories of small-town characters immersed in the intimidating, alluring, and dangerous world of big-city Johannesburg and Soweto.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025
  • This intimate yacht-style cruise immersed in the vibrancy of Panama and Costa Rica with an emphasis on responsible tourism – a cornerstone of the five-year-old partnership between Le Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.
    Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near saturate

Cite this Entry

“Saturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saturate. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on saturate

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