as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
my hair and clothes were absolutely sopping after the unexpected downpour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in soaking
to wet thoroughly with liquid
sopped the sponge with the detergent and began scrubbing the floor vigorously
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wetting
to make wet
my book fell in the swimming pool and was thoroughly sopped before I could fish it out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dipping
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid
hesitant to sop his bread in gravy, no matter how delicious, at such a formal banquet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 sopping
George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Them that got across emerged rat-like, coated with sopping sludge.
—Literary Hub, 9 Jan. 2026
After a sopping start to the new year, Southern California’s persistent drizzle is expected to wrap up by late Tuesday, ushering in a period of dry conditions, warmer temperatures and even some Santa Ana winds by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Stand in a circle and pass around a sopping-wet sponge until the music stops.
—Christina Montoya Fiedler, Woman's Day, 24 Feb. 2023
Jean had the sensation of throwing sopping red meat to a starving dog.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 11 Oct. 2022
If washing a regular comforter can be a chore, imagine hauling a sopping wet weighted blanket out of the washing machine.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Forbes, 21 June 2021
Nell flings her sopping-wet pants onto the dock.
—Margaret Atwood, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
In the away end, on this putrid, sopping evening in N17, the bigger picture is steamrolled by the small.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
When the sopping girl has joined them on the beach, one of the producers separates from the huddle of production personnel.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
After a sopping start to the new year, Southern California’s persistent drizzle is expected to wrap up by late Tuesday, ushering in a period of dry conditions, warmer temperatures and even some Santa Ana winds by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Marcus was drying off while still in the pool, leaving his towel sopping wet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
The other side of the sopping wet coin is how to counter these noises.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
Sandberg was there wandering around the clubhouse sopping wet from a mixture of champagne, beer and rain water along with other Cub greats, protected by a yellow rain slicker.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
And June, July and August, normally sopping wet with daily afternoon thundershowers, have done little to alleviate the drought.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In the away end, on this putrid, sopping evening in N17, the bigger picture is steamrolled by the small.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Them that got across emerged rat-like, coated with sopping sludge.
—Literary Hub, 9 Jan. 2026
After a sopping start to the new year, Southern California’s persistent drizzle is expected to wrap up by late Tuesday, ushering in a period of dry conditions, warmer temperatures and even some Santa Ana winds by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Stand in a circle and pass around a sopping-wet sponge until the music stops.
—Christina Montoya Fiedler, Woman's Day, 24 Feb. 2023
Jean had the sensation of throwing sopping red meat to a starving dog.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 11 Oct. 2022
If washing a regular comforter can be a chore, imagine hauling a sopping wet weighted blanket out of the washing machine.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Forbes, 21 June 2021
Nell flings her sopping-wet pants onto the dock.
—Margaret Atwood, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021
Verb
The packing material, which may be paper, peat, or wood shavings, also should still be damp, not sopping wet.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
In the away end, on this putrid, sopping evening in N17, the bigger picture is steamrolled by the small.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
When the sopping girl has joined them on the beach, one of the producers separates from the huddle of production personnel.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
After a sopping start to the new year, Southern California’s persistent drizzle is expected to wrap up by late Tuesday, ushering in a period of dry conditions, warmer temperatures and even some Santa Ana winds by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Marcus was drying off while still in the pool, leaving his towel sopping wet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
The other side of the sopping wet coin is how to counter these noises.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
Sandberg was there wandering around the clubhouse sopping wet from a mixture of champagne, beer and rain water along with other Cub greats, protected by a yellow rain slicker.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
And June, July and August, normally sopping wet with daily afternoon thundershowers, have done little to alleviate the drought.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sopping
Adjective
-
The camera returned one more time to show the mom placing a second spoon into her cup and wiping off excess dripping from the sides with a napkin.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Everything, from the chassis, the frame, swingarm, subframe, and wheels, is dripping in carbon fiber.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The layout separates private areas from the main entertaining spaces, with the primary suite set behind pivoting resin doors and comprising a sitting area, dressing space, and a large bathroom with a soaking tub and walk-in shower.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid soaking the mattress — over-wetting is one of the most common mistakes people make.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
When cleaning your upholstered headboard, avoid over-wetting it.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Temperatures are expected to warm near 80 degrees on Monday, before dipping to the upper 60s on Tuesday.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Artistic geniuses will continue dipping their toes in AI and fans shouldn’t expect easy answers.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Two distinct color stories emerged—ones rooted in boldly saturated primary shades, the other in pale pastel tones typically associated with this time of year—demonstrating that the best colorful sneakers this season span the full spectrum.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The earthy colorways can give your bathroom a serene aesthetic, like the cream hue Collins has or oak and walnut for something a bit more saturated.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid saturating the mattress — over-wetting is one of the most common mistakes people make, and excess moisture trapped inside the mattress can lead to mold growth, creating an entirely new allergen problem.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid puddling or saturating the soil.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Juno Beach Police Department released audio from several 911 calls placed that day, including one from Emily Jennings, who said her husband was drowning.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The official cause of death listed on the crew member’s death certificate, which was obtained by TMZ, states that Meadows died from drowning with probable hypothermia and submersion of his body in cold water.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Best Times to Visit for Good Weather Late spring through the summer is the best time to enjoy warm temperatures, perfect for immersing yourself in the stunning natural splendors of the Pacific Northwest.—
Scott Bay,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Frontman Dougy Mandagi relocated first to Berlin, immersing himself in electronic music, before returning to Indonesia.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sopping. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
