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 The restaurant sells weekend breakfast tacos, a variety of traditional tacos and queso drenched fries. —Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 He’s been scorched by the sun and drenched by the rain. —Shari Rudavsky, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 And Chicago might get drenched again on Sunday, if those forecasts are correct. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 6 July 2025 She was drenched in sweat and foaming at the mouth. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 3 July 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
  • Traditional evaporators don’t work well in wet weather, but this new material stands up much better to wetting and drying, just like the rainforest birds that inspired it.
    — Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
  • Use a garden hose or power washer to thoroughly wet the rug.
    — Karen Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Definition of wet
Verb
  • Rooms are spacious and feature modern Thai decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showers.
    — Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • Two upstairs en suite bedrooms include the primary suite, which features a tiled balcony offering up a picturesque view of the Griffith Observatory, dual walk-in closets, and a bath flaunting a marble soaking tub notched into a windowed and arched alcove.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
Definition of soak
Verb
  • Each year, stories of people acting heroically to rescue others from the water turn tragic when the rescuers end up caught in the rip currents and drown.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Truckee police were searching Friday for a possible drowning victim in Donner Lake, said department officials.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of drown
Verb
  • The nest must be fully saturated for all wasps to be killed.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
  • Nutrition Facts Calories: 222 Protein: 2.22 grams (g) Fat: 22.22 g Carbohydrate: 3.33 g Sugars: 2.22 g Fatty acids (saturated): 21.11 g Sodium: 17 milligrams (mg) Potassium: 278 mg Coconut milk and coconut cream are similar but not the same.
    — Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025
Definition of saturate
Verb
  • The water piped into homes is often used for washing clothes, bathing and watering gardens.
    — Jake Goodrick July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
  • Regular gravel grinding means regularly washing your bike and lubricating the chain.
    — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
Definition of wash
Verb
  • Carpenter's storyline in Angel's fourth season proved very controversial with fans, as Cordelia is possessed and impregnated by the deity Jasmine, then unceremoniously left in a coma.
    — Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
  • The father had reportedly impregnated his daughter in the past, according to the serious incident report.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Definition of impregnate
Verb
  • Days after the Guadalupe River flooded and claimed dozens of lives, another major river in Texas has triggered warnings from the National Weather Service.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • Previous storms have flooded Mason’s building, damaging appliances and furniture, but this time she was mostly spared.
    — William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Definition of flood

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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 29 Jul. 2025.

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