engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
engulfed; engulfing; engulfs

transitive verb

1
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island
2
: to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
engulfment noun

Examples of engulf in a Sentence

The valley was engulfed in a thick fog. high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But Syria’s then leader, who had succeeded his father Hafez seven years before, represented a stable contrast to the chaos engulfing neighboring Iraq. Ivan Watson, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 Advertisement The blaze engulfed more than 2,000 acres overnight, as crews contended with strong Santa Ana winds. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024 Some experts suggested that conducting those checks earlier could have helped avert scandals that have engulfed nominees such as Hegseth — and forced his first pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, (R-Fla.), to withdraw. Also facing a tough lift? Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024 That December, the Thomas Fire, sparked by Southern California Edison equipment, engulfed parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for engulf 

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near engulf

Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

engulf

verb
en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
engulfment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on engulf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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