drowning

verb

present participle of drown
1
as in flooding
to cover with a flood whole villages drowned by the rampaging river

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soaking
to wet thoroughly with liquid drowned the carpet with shampoo, and so it took forever to dry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wetting
to make wet cooked pasta drowned in marinara sauce

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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 drowning Prosecutors say he was beaten, suspended by his hands and feet and subjected to simulated drowning during two days of interrogation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 Rings, watches, and even bedtime armbands like Garmin's Index Sleep Monitor now log every toss and turn, while dedicated sleep earbuds like the battery-less SomniBuds focus on drowning out the world around you. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026 The company hasn’t recorded a profitable quarter since the summer of 2024, following the completion of an $8 billion merger with rival Cedar Fair that left it drowning in debt. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 Threats also remain from strong rip currents and large waves, which increase the risk of ocean drowning and could threaten to capsize small boats near shore. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Wolf gathered up a group of friends, rented Airbnbs in Big Bear and Joshua Tree, and started drowning herself in Mud. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026 Hugo Weaving plays a brilliant but disgraced attorney, drowning in debt, who reluctantly defends an allegedly dangerous dog, battling to save its life. — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 According to Coast Guard recreational boating statistics, 87% of drowning victims in 2024 were not wearing a life jacket in cases where life-jacket use was known. — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Workers and employers are drowning in their health insurance premiums. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowning
  1. flooding
  2. soaking
  3. wetting
  4. engulfing
  5. saturating
  6. washing
  7. overwhelming
  8. drenching
Verb
  • In the brain, for example, elevated stress hormones can impair learning and memory by flooding the hippocampus with excitatory chemical signals.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • By holding water on the land, these peatlands not only reduce the risk of flooding downstream, but also buffer the landscape against drought, keeping soils moist and supporting nearby forests through dry spells.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of flooding
Verb
  • The primary suite, on the other hand, focuses on numero uno, offering custom closets and a bathroom with both a soaking tub and a separate shower.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The bathroom’s been updated, too, with a soaking tub and blocky tiling.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of soaking
Verb
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    — Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wetting
Verb
  • The protest movement has added to a sense of uncertainty and crisis engulfing France six months ahead of a presidential election that could usher in the first far-right government since World War II, led by Le Pen’s National Rally.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
  • And liquid nitrogen could transform custard into ice cream in the blink of an eye, engulfing the table in a theatrical fog.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of engulfing
Verb
  • Hazardous floods could occur if back-to-back storms dump heavy rains over several days, saturating the soil in the mountains and filling reservoirs.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Fortunately, labels both affordable and luxury are coming out with new takes on this trend like clockwork, saturating the market with colorful jackets for every personal aesthetic and practical need under the sun (or, more accurately, the rain).
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of saturating
Verb
  • Walls around the three-sinks are dirty in the ware-washing area.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Meals start with a server ritualistically washing your hands with rose water.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of washing
Verb
  • But the long gearing also has its benefits in fast driving, allowing full-throttle use without overwhelming the chassis or unsettling the rear end on corner exit.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Republicans' ace in the hole While Democratic candidates dominate direct donations, Republicans are countering with overwhelming outside spending.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of overwhelming
Verb
  • The breakfast buffet is a must to gain the energy to hike the trails through drenching spray later.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Heavy rain was already drenching parts of the region Tuesday morning and causing flooding.
    — Martín Silva Rey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of drenching

Browse Nearby Words

drowned
drowning
drowns
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Cite this Entry

“Drowning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowning. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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