drench

verb

ˈdrench How to pronounce drench (audio)
Definition of drenchnext
1
as in to wet
to make wet we were drenched by the sudden rainstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to soak
to wet thoroughly with liquid when using the carpet shampooer, wet but do not drench the carpet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word drench different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of drench are impregnate, saturate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

In what contexts can impregnate take the place of drench?

The words impregnate and drench can be used in similar contexts, but impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When might saturate be a better fit than drench?

The words saturate and drench are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

When could soak be used to replace drench?

While in some cases nearly identical to drench, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When would steep be a good substitute for drench?

The meanings of steep and drench largely overlap; however, 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 drench Rain drenched the stage and flooded the green room. —Kathryn Varn, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025 The actress, 28, opened up about being drenched in fake blood while filming her upcoming vampire flick, Sinners. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Park drenches this film in style, keeping audiences engaged in the kind of gorgeously twisted thriller that people complain doesn’t get made anymore. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 Dolly’s recipe, fried up in tallow, is beyond compare, especially drenched in her white pan country gravy. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench
  1. wet
  2. soak
  3. drown
  4. saturate
  5. wash
  6. impregnate
  7. flood
Verb
  • Han recommends wetting a beauty sponge to add extra coverage to smaller areas of concern, including your hairline and around your nose.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Austin threatened McMahon with a toy gun, leading to a memorable moment at the expense of McMahon wetting himself.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of wet
Verb
  • The Premiere Suite has a spacious private terrace overlooking the garden and a soaking tub under the monumental rose window that looks onto the chapel.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The primary suite has a soaking tub, double sink, a stand-alone shower and is outfitted in Calacatta marble.
    — Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of soak
Verb
  • Tragedy struck the Kilmer family in 1977 when Kilmer’s younger brother Wesley drowned at the young age of 15.
    — Ale Russian, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • His younger brother Wesley drowned in a swimming pool in 1977, an event that haunted Kilmer for years afterward.
    — The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of drown
Verb
  • Understanding The Periphery Advantage In many metropolitan areas, central districts are becoming increasingly saturated and expensive.
    — Rodolfo Delgado, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Spring fashion is often saturated with flowy, floral dresses, breezy linens, and the art of mixing and matching textures, cuts, and patterns.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of saturate
Verb
  • An employee was seen sneezing directly into their hand and returning to work without washing their hands.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Because what’s really getting washed is the film as the paint rests safely beneath it.
    — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of wash
Verb
  • Among them is Edmonia Lewis, whose 1875 sculpture Hagar depicts an Egyptian woman from the Bible who was impregnated by her enslaver’s husband.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • But he was struck by the resemblance and wondered: What if Rania's daughters were raped and impregnated by one of Assad's forces?
    — Mirna Alrached, NPR, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of impregnate
Verb
  • While fans flooded his comments with well-wishes, the rapper’s message was clear: stay vigilant, because health is nothing to play with.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Salvage and cleanup work will continue this weekend as volunteers from nearby communities flood Moundville for a cleanup day to help the Botts and others impacted by the tornado.
    — Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of flood

Browse Nearby Words

dreich
drench
drenched
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Cite this Entry

“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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