drench

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 They were drenched in balsamic vinegar that overpowered their flavor. Nadia Lopez, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025 An atmospheric river of moisture was draped across the Pacific Northwest on Saturday and will deliver breezy winds and drenching rains to Washington and Oregon into Sunday. Amy Graff, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 The visual, shot in crisp slow motion, features Rico drenching a crowd with a water hose, embodying the rebellious spirit of the record. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025 Dolly’s recipe, fried up in tallow, is beyond compare, especially drenched in her white pan country gravy. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench
Verb
  • Han recommends wetting a beauty sponge to add extra coverage to smaller areas of concern, including your hairline and around your nose.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Austin threatened McMahon with a toy gun, leading to a memorable moment at the expense of McMahon wetting himself.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Try a deep soaking tub with jets, a walk-in shower with custom shower head, sauna, high-tech toilet seat, or heated towel bars to make an ordinary bathroom feel luxurious.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
  • In the bedroom, guests will find a roaring fireplace, a soaking tub, and a rainfall shower, along with a wood-burning hot tub with a view of the verdant hillside on the terrace.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The swimmer drowned about 4:45 p.m. in the river near the 2500 block of Roberts Cut Off Road.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In one of the most stunning miracles in all of biblical literature, God parts the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to cross but causes the waters to rejoin when the Egyptian army enters, drowning the dictator and his army.
    Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Make sure each strand is fully saturated, then let the product sit for 40 to 60 minutes.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1944, Davis grew up in an environment saturated with both terror and resistance.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Reynolds’ colleagues found 97% of people had never washed them, and many were contaminated by bacteria, including E. coli, from foods like raw meats and produce.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Geometric furniture and decorative elements are washed in rich colors and lush textures.
    Blue Carreon, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Among them is Edmonia Lewis, whose 1875 sculpture Hagar depicts an Egyptian woman from the Bible who was impregnated by her enslaver’s husband.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The fibers are aligned, impregnated, pulled into a heated die, and thermally set before being continuously pulled and cut to size.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Christians and Muslims flooded social media with tributes, remembering his vocal condemnation of violence and consistent empathy for Gaza's civilians.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Special forces and ambulances flooded the scene, and workers in nearby stores were ordered to shelter in place.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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