swamp 1 of 2

verb

Definition of swampnext
1
as in to flood
to cover with a flood the boat was swamped by the huge wave has been swamped with paperwork since she returned from vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress parents feeling swamped by work and family obligations

Synonyms & Similar Words

swamp

2 of 2

noun

ˈswämp How to pronounce swamp (audio)
1
as in marsh
spongy land saturated or partially covered with water be careful in the swamp, because alligators sometimes lurk there

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pickle
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape with her credit cards maxed out, and the making of minimum payments a challenge, debt seemed to be an ever-deepening swamp

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 swamp
Verb
In June 2023, floodwaters swamped the city after the Kakhovka Dam collapsed in an explosion that an Associated Press investigation found was likely caused by the Russian military. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The movie shot in a remote Norwegian village of 25 people who were swamped by cast and crew. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
Maxwell took the straight way, leading his team and their chain through swamp and timber, mile after mile. — James Whorton Jr, Longreads, 13 Oct. 2026 Del Rey’s husband, Jeremy Dufrene, will even have a bit role as Mud Dog Mike, Back Country Radio’s roving reporter, swamp meteorologist, and airboat captain (which Dufrene is in real life). — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swamp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swamp
  1. flood
  2. overwhelm
  3. marsh
  4. pickle
  5. engulf
  6. overcome
  7. wetland
  8. predicament
Verb
  • For much of the Gaza war, Israeli protesters flooded the streets demanding that Netanyahu strike a deal with Hamas to release Israeli hostages and end the fighting.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The area has experienced unusually heavy rain since Wednesday that caused rivers to surge, flooding homes and forcing water rescues.
    — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • The president left office above water on the economy, with 48% approving and 41% disapproving — high numbers for a president whose last year was overwhelmed by the Covid pandemic.
    — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Economic recovery, the official argued, must accompany political reform to prevent a future democratic government from being overwhelmed by debt, failing infrastructure, shortages, inflation and insecurity.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of overwhelm
Noun
  • Viewed from the waters of Turner Creek, a serpentine tributary east of Savannah, the dock stretches so far across the marsh that even those with 20-20 vision must squint to see where planking meets terra firma.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Before the healing process was complete, however, Scotty died in what scientists believe was a salty marsh.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of marsh
Noun
  • Most ingredients, including pickles and dressings, are made in-house.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Both bentos come with a sweet and salty cabbage salad, a slab of rice, crunchy green pickles, and a slice of orange.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pickle
Verb
  • Video footage released by Romania's intelligence service showed a person climbing the ladder of a building's fire escape, followed by brief flashes and flames engulfing a building.
    — STEPHEN McGRATH, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Video footage released by the intelligence service showed a person climbing the ladder of a building’s fire escape, followed by brief flashes and flames engulfing a building.
    — Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • Tested on three below-knee amputees, this technique could overcome the limitations of current muscle-signal systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This front row seat to past moments — including some that involve Ethan — leads Hannah to reflect, break out of her comfort zone and overcome her fear of failure.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcome
Noun
  • In Uganda and Rwanda, mushroom cultivation provides households with income while easing the pressure on wetland areas that support threatened cranes.
    — John Cannon, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Landowner Wayne Cooke wanted to sell when Costco put forward a development proposal in 2015, but the project couldn’t secure approval from the wetlands board.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of wetland
Noun
  • In other circumstances, there might be a conversation to be had on whether any such windfall should be pumped into the ordinary budget, given the city’s crummy financial predicament.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Rewarding loyal users Mature apps with longtime subscribers, initially drawn in through low prices and reliable features, face a predicament.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of predicament

Browse Nearby Words

swamis
swamp
swamped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swamp. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swamp

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