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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Wring out the mop and make sure the mop is not sopping wet.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Drying off won’t leave these absorbent towels sopping wet.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 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
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
Highlights include the raw sampler—mussels blanketed in a thick puree of herbs, scallop crudo bathed in homemade almond milk—and a bouillabaisse accompanied by insanely crunchy cheesy bread for sopping.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Wring out the mop and make sure the mop is not sopping wet.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Drying off won’t leave these absorbent towels sopping wet.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sopping
Adjective
-
Then, in Madrid on June 15, Zendaya donned a Christian Cowan frock dripping in fringe.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
-
Once the espresso has completed dripping into the cup, you’re all set to sip.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 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
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.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 June 2026
-
Irrigation should be applied at the base of the plant at the soil line to avoid wetting the blooms.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Slight relief arrives this weekend with highs dipping into the mid- to upper 80s.—
Sean Macaday,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
-
The princess wore a white outfit for the occasion, and she was seen dipping into a curtsy for both the emperor and the empress, in addition to handshakes.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Adjective
-
That reality is part of what has drawn her toward newer, less saturated platforms.—
Esha Chhabra,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
The final look will be extra polished, and works well with pastels and less saturated tones too.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Use only as much cleaning solution as necessary, and avoid saturating the area.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
Start by saturating the sponge with water and microwaving it on high for one to two minutes.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Olivia Taylor, the assistant manager of the swim school, says clearing up misconceptions about what drowning actually looks like and getting anyone comfortable in and around the water, are some of the most important parts of teaching someone how to swim.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
-
Forty-three years ago on June 29, Delaney — the promising Chiefs running back who was the 1981 AFC Rookie of the Year — died trying to save three children drowning in a park in Monroe, Louisiana.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
Verb
-
To soak your clothes prior to washing, fill a bucket or your bathtub with cool to warm water and add 1 cup of vinegar before immersing your clothes into the solution.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
Zoh Amba spent their Kingsport, Tennessee adolescence diving into YouTube, immersing themselves in videos of jazz saxophonists like Albert Ayler and Charlie Parker.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sopping. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
