SOAK Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'soak' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of soak are drench , impregnate , saturate , and steep . While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing. // soak the garment in soapy water

Q: When might 'drench' be a better fit than 'soak'?

In some situations, the words drench and soak are roughly equivalent. However, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured. // clothes drenched by a cloudburst

Q: Where would 'impregnate' be a reasonable alternative to 'soak'?

The words impregnate and soak can be used in similar contexts, but impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. // a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Q: When could 'saturate' be used to replace 'soak'?

The synonyms saturate and soak are sometimes interchangeable, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. // a saturated sponge

Q: When can 'steep' be used instead of 'soak'?

While in some cases nearly identical to soak , 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

soak 1 of 2

noun

Definition of soak

as in alcoholic

a person who makes a habit of getting drunk felt sorry for the town soak, who couldn't hold a job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soak

2 of 2

verb

ˈsōk

as in to saturate

to wet thoroughly with liquid we ran for home as soon as the rain started, but our clothes still ended up soaked

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to gouge

to charge (someone) too much for goods or services a merchant who soaks the tourists every summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

undercharge

as in to wet

to make wet that downpour soaked my hair, and now I look like a sight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to drink

to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages depressed about his love life, he repaired to a bar to soak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

abstain

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of soak are drench, impregnate, saturate, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When might drench be a better fit than soak?

In some situations, the words drench and soak are roughly equivalent. However, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

Where would impregnate be a reasonable alternative to soak?

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

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When could saturate be used to replace soak?

The synonyms saturate and soak are sometimes interchangeable, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

When can steep be used instead of soak?

While in some cases nearly identical to soak, 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 soak

Noun

Look for creators to pivot from salt piles to warm salt baths, foot soaks and cooler post-bath routines. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026 Riverbend Hot Springs Riverbend Hot Springs has the only hot spring pools that are set along the Rio Grande, where hotel guests can enjoy unlimited soaks. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

The bathroom’s been updated, too, with a soaking tub and blocky tiling. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026 The lot gets baked together, allowing the savory drippings from the chicken to soak into the stuffing. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soak

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soak

Noun

Premiering in 2013, Faris starred in the first seven seasons of Mom as Christy, a recovering alcoholic who struggles to maintain a job, her family and her sobriety as her mom Bonnie (Allison Janney), who’s also in recovery, moves in with her.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The answers to these questions are very important to our community of addicts and alcoholics, both in and out of recovery.

— David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of alcoholic

Verb

Colima authorities said the risks remained low, but warned that heavy rainfall could cause damage because the ground was already saturated by successive storms along the Pacific coast.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
If the soils were not saturated, microbial decomposition would happen too quickly, breaking down organic matter before the thick layers of peat, the signature of boglands, had a chance to form.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of saturate

Verb

Insurance carriers are often able to negotiate a better rate for the tow, if he was indeed getting gouged.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
During Fortescue’s early years, the environmental toll of gouging metals from the earth was all but an afterthought.

— Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of gouge

Verb

Food and drink Croatian chef Pavo Klarić has been at the helm of Michelin-recommended Luciano Restaurant since 2021.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Many consumers are drinking less or buying ready-to-drink beverages such as beer and canned cocktails.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drink

Noun

All of the suites have gas fireplaces, king-sized beds, deep soaker tubs, and plush sitting areas.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Engel recommends using a soaker hose for even watering or, for trees, water bags as great ways to make sure the root ball area stays consistently moist.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of soaker

Verb

All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Clement famously tried to get the Supreme Court to overturn President Obama's signature health care law, a loss that still stings.

— Carrie Johnson, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sting

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“Soak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soak. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of soak

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing soak

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Cite this Entry

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