SWAMP Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

swamp 1 of 2

verb

Definition of swamp

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in marsh

spongy land saturated or partially covered with water be careful in the swamp, because alligators sometimes lurk there

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Ackerman tended to focus on collegial, NCAA and legal issues, prominent during most of her time, as college athletics was swamped with seismic change in recent years. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026 Ossoff has swamped the successful trucking company executive in fundraising. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Instead, Berry built the swamp on an indoor soundstage and filled it with water. — Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026 The biggest increases, however, came on the least valuable land — classified as swamp, ledge or scrubland — which saw its value increase by 2,325%. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swamp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swamp

Verb

To make way for what will be the third reservoir to serve the canal, an area of more than 11,000 acres that is currently home to schools, churches, farms and cemeteries will have to be flooded and at least 1,600 residents re-homed.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
In the post-George Floyd era, some young adults have been reluctant to become police officers compared to the days when departments were flooded with applications from eager jobseekers.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of flood

Verb

Resilient people experience life’s typical ups and downs, but their senses don’t overwhelm them.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Swain settled in this preseason, showing an improved progression in his decision making when he was not overwhelmed by on-ball duties.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Noun

Before the healing process was complete, however, Scotty died in what scientists believe was a salty marsh.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
In Cusk’s first novel after the blockbuster Outline trilogy, a woman invites an artist to stay at her home on a marsh, and things unravel from there.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of marsh

Noun

Sauces and pickles checked in the walk-in cooler are at 42 degrees.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Recently a box showcased sweet, custardy amaebi, salmon belly, chum ikura, uni, toro, Hokkaido hotate, octopus and kizami wasabi adorned with various flowers and pickles.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of pickle

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
These poignant and revealing journals cover the years after the financial disaster that engulfed Scott.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of engulf

Verb

For now, the study identifies a previously underappreciated part of the immune system that could help overcome one of SCLC’s most persistent defenses.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
But Gordon has emerged as Miami’s clear lead back, capable of overcoming a poor situation.

— Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of overcome

Noun

Napa and East Palo Alto impacts are mostly to natural lands like depressional wetlands, lagoons, and snowy plover habitat, while East Oakland is mainly due to BART and the Oakland Airport.

— Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026
The forum organized by Sachs was meant to be a listening session to determine the future of wetlands and farmland in the Ag Reserve, a huge swath of land west of Florida’s Turnpike.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of wetland

Noun

The relentless rain associated with Hurricane Isaias didn’t stop some hikers from venturing onto trails and greenways in North Carolina, leading to life-threatening predicaments, officials say.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Through one dangerous predicament after another, his stunt work reveals a performer who seems entirely comfortable in his own skin.

— Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of predicament

Browse Nearby Words

swamis

swamp

swamped

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of swamp

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on swamp

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes