saturate 1 of 2

verb

ˈsa-chə-ˌrāt How to pronounce saturate (audio)
Definition of saturatenext
as in to soak
to wet thoroughly with liquid saturate your hair with water before applying the dye

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saturate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsach-rət How to pronounce saturate (audio)
as in saturated
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water the test will only work if the sample cloth is saturate with solution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of saturate are drench, impregnate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

In what contexts can drench take the place of saturate?

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

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

When could impregnate be used to replace saturate?

While the synonyms impregnate and saturate are close in meaning, impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Where would soak be a reasonable alternative to saturate?

Although the words soak and saturate have much in common, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When would steep be a good substitute for saturate?

While in some cases nearly identical to saturate, 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 saturate
Verb
And the whole episode is just saturated with corruption. —CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025 Though the company often makes pieces saturated in color, three corsets were made of untreated leather, giving them their nude-ish hue. —Mikelle Street, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
However, even when hair is dry and thick, experts advise washing at least twice a week to remove all the residues that can accumulate on the scalp, and that saturate and weaken the hair. —Ana Morales, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2023 To use, spray directly on the stain and saturate well. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for saturate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saturate
  1. soak
  2. saturated
  3. drown
  4. drench
  5. impregnate
  6. immerse
Verb
  • How To Get Rid of and Prevent Smells in Stove Drip Pans To get rid of smells, Stein recommends soaking the drip pans in hot, soapy water with a splash of vinegar for about 15 minutes, then scrub thoroughly.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The spacious accommodations, starting at 1,130 square feet, also come with soaking tubs and either a private terrace or balcony for taking in the beautiful beachfront views.
    — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of soak
Adjective
  • The choice between chicken or beef ultimately depends on your health goals, whether that be eating less saturated fat or increasing your iron intake.
    — Johna Burdeos, Health, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Fog and stratus clouds Clouds are a result of saturation, but saturated air can also exist at ground level.
    — Ross Lazear, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of saturated
Verb
  • The concertina wire installed by the state prevented agents from getting to immigrants, including in situations where immigrants attempting to cross were drowning in the river.
    — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Ovechkin’s goal did not get much of a big reaction since the Rangers are still in the playoff race and visiting fans do not show up at Madison Square Garden in enough of a group to drown out the home crowd.
    — Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of drown
Verb
  • Widespread rain also drenched Southern California on Wednesday.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • To give your home a warm and cozy makeover with ample vintage charm, Rees suggests installing going for all-over pattern drenching in a space like a bedroom.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of drench
Verb
  • Everett Collection There are, miraculously enough, two 2024 horror films about an American nun who joins a convent in Italy where she’s impregnated with something unholy as part of an evil Church plot.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
  • An Amber Alert has been issued for a pregnant Wisconsin teen, who police believe is with the 40-year-old man who impregnated her.
    — Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
Definition of impregnate
Verb
  • For a period starting in the late Nineties, you were immersed in the world of pro wrestling and were a consultant for WCW.
    — David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Daniel Edwards grew up immersed in the sights and sounds of construction — the scent of sawdust and the hum of machinery hauling lumber.
    — J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of immerse

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Cite this Entry

“Saturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saturate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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