as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
the fisherman couldn't wait to take off his soaking socks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gouging
Related Words
1
as in saturating
to wet thoroughly with liquid
we ran for home as soon as the rain started, but our clothes still ended up soaked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stinging
to charge (someone) too much for goods or services
a merchant who soaks the tourists every summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wetting
to make wet
that downpour soaked my hair, and now I look like a sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in drinking
to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages
depressed about his love life, he repaired to a bar to soak
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 soaking
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
18 June 2026
The soaking pattern is being fueled in part by moisture from the remnants of last week’s Tropical Storm Cristina from the Eastern Pacific.
—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
The primary suite has a Japanese soaking tub, and downstairs is a sauna.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
14 June 2026
No soaking in the scene, remembering the hurt as the Knicks celebrated.
—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
Repeat the soaking steps if necessary.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Bathrooms are large, with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and double vanities, standard even in entry-level room categories.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
For a rejuvenating trip with your girlfriends, plan to relax in the resort's outdoor soaking tubs and dine on farm-fresh meals during your stay.
—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Owner Colby Barrett — a geotechnical engineer who specializes in rock slide mitigation — leaned into the land’s natural contours, sculpting the rock into 400-square-foot suites, complete with private patios looking out at the orchards, copper soaking tubs, and walk-in showers lit by skylights.
—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
Sierra Vandervort,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
The fillets should be a little damp, but not soaking wet.
—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
Drain the almonds after soaking and give them a final rinse.
—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
18 June 2026
At first Weinstein couldn’t process his alarm—her house sits on a hillside, well off the 100-year floodplain—or the sight of other neighbors in her yard in their soaking pajamas.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a steam shower and soaking tub.
—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
The suites feature giant showers with both rain and handheld shower heads, which are perfect for couples, plus a soaking tub with views of the city.
—
Midwest Living,
15 June 2026
Some cottages have additional features like larger backyards, connecting backyards, outdoor showers, soaking tubs, and fire pits.
—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
El Niño is here A very strong El Niño often means drenching storms, flooding and mudslides in Southern California, as seen in the destructive winters of 1982-83, 1997-98 and the soaking 2023-24 season.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
Soak them for at least 8-12 hours, though soaking time can vary depending on your preferences.
—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
18 June 2026
The soaking pattern is being fueled in part by moisture from the remnants of last week’s Tropical Storm Cristina from the Eastern Pacific.
—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
The primary suite has a Japanese soaking tub, and downstairs is a sauna.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
14 June 2026
No soaking in the scene, remembering the hurt as the Knicks celebrated.
—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
Repeat the soaking steps if necessary.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Bathrooms are large, with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and double vanities, standard even in entry-level room categories.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
For a rejuvenating trip with your girlfriends, plan to relax in the resort's outdoor soaking tubs and dine on farm-fresh meals during your stay.
—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Owner Colby Barrett — a geotechnical engineer who specializes in rock slide mitigation — leaned into the land’s natural contours, sculpting the rock into 400-square-foot suites, complete with private patios looking out at the orchards, copper soaking tubs, and walk-in showers lit by skylights.
—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
Verb
Out back, a secluded courtyard and soaking pool await.
—
Sierra Vandervort,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
The fillets should be a little damp, but not soaking wet.
—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
Drain the almonds after soaking and give them a final rinse.
—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
18 June 2026
At first Weinstein couldn’t process his alarm—her house sits on a hillside, well off the 100-year floodplain—or the sight of other neighbors in her yard in their soaking pajamas.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a steam shower and soaking tub.
—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
The suites feature giant showers with both rain and handheld shower heads, which are perfect for couples, plus a soaking tub with views of the city.
—
Midwest Living,
15 June 2026
Some cottages have additional features like larger backyards, connecting backyards, outdoor showers, soaking tubs, and fire pits.
—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
El Niño is here A very strong El Niño often means drenching storms, flooding and mudslides in Southern California, as seen in the destructive winters of 1982-83, 1997-98 and the soaking 2023-24 season.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soaking
Adjective
-
Then, in Madrid on June 15, Zendaya donned a Christian Cowan frock dripping in fringe.
-
Once the espresso has completed dripping into the cup, you’re all set to sip.
Noun
-
But the buildup to America’s first time hosting the World Cup since 1994 has been nonstop controversy, from exorbitant ticket cost and price-gouging for public transportation to our country’s far-right immigration policies scaring away many would-be visitors.
-
The ancient Greek sport of pankration employed techniques from the more structured disciplines of boxing and wrestling, with no rules except for prohibitions on eye-gouging and biting.
Verb
-
Use only as much cleaning solution as necessary, and avoid saturating the area.
-
Start by saturating the sponge with water and microwaving it on high for one to two minutes.
Verb
-
Former Kansas guard Kevin McCullar wore goggles in the New York Knicks locker room to protect his eyes from stinging during a champagne-spraying celebration after NY’s 94-90 NBA title-clinching victory over San Antonio on June 13 in Texas.
-
Pets who have an encounter with stinging caterpillars will need a vet visit ASAP.
Verb
-
Joanna Shoulder received the beating as discipline for wetting her bed, according to a homicide detective’s account of his interview of the girl’s father described in an arrest warrant affidavit.
-
Irrigation should be applied at the base of the plant at the soil line to avoid wetting the blooms.
Verb
-
The Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
-
And the risk isn’t only from drinking.
Adjective
-
That reality is part of what has drawn her toward newer, less saturated platforms.
-
The final look will be extra polished, and works well with pastels and less saturated tones too.
Noun
-
Dish only had to agree to stop overcharging subscribers.
-
Corporations have gotten away with overcharging consumers for far too long, but wages have stayed the same.
Cite this Entry
“Soaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soaking. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
