awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

a

: alternately covered and exposed by waves or tide

b

: washing about : afloat

c

: covered with water : flooded

2

: filled, covered, or completely overrun as if by a flood

a movie awash in sentimentality

Synonyms of awash

• saturated
• dripping
• bathed
• flooded
• soaked
• washed
• saturate
• soaking

Examples of awash in a Sentence

The deck of the boat was almost awash.

the streets were awash from the heavy rains

Recent Examples on the Web

Social media has been awash with memes showing how many conflicting statements have been made about the war in Iran over the last 24 hours. —Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026

And those who find Georgia’s gun laws too permissive say installing weapon detectors everywhere is a form of surrender, accepting that society will be awash in guns and violence. —Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

Social media in general has become awash with conspiracy theories. —Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

And those who find Georgia's gun laws too permissive say installing weapons detectors everywhere is a form of surrender, accepting that society will be awash in guns and violence. —CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing awash

• drowning/awash in red ink

Rhymes for awash

• backwash
• downwash
• mouthwash
• outwash
• panache
• whitewash
• bosh
• frosh
• gosh
• josh
• posh
• quash

Kids Definition

awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

: washed by waves or tide

2

: floating about

3

a

: flooded or covered with water

b

: filled or covered as if by a flood

an event awash in emotion

Geographical Definition

Awash

geographical name

ˈä-ˌwäsh 

river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in eastern Ethiopia flowing northeast