as in to drown
to put (food, such as meat or fish) in a sauce for a period of time to add flavor or tenderize
The recipe says that you should marinate the chicken overnight.
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Recent Examples of marinate
The Broncos needed a veteran for Nix, and hopefully, longer marinating will make Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin more productive someday.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Add a creamy, tangy, and special flavoring by marinating the chicken in buttermilk.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
The chicken needs to marinate on the counter for 20 minutes, then in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
As if a handful of design ideas were tossed against the tank and allowed to marinate without a clear vision.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for marinate
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Add a creamy, tangy, and special flavoring by marinating the chicken in buttermilk.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
The chicken needs to marinate on the counter for 20 minutes, then in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
As if a handful of design ideas were tossed against the tank and allowed to marinate without a clear vision.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for marinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marinate
Verb
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The Project’s participants were instructed to fight one another and endure simulated drowning, among other humiliations and discomforts, while remaining awake for most of three days.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Authorities alleged Goldberg followed her and tried to drown her before a bystander intervened.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This recipe, in which the berries are macerated with balsamic vinegar (a classic combination in Italy) goes a step further and doesn’t require you to churn it.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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That spirit s macerated for two weeks with 21 botanicals including poppy seed, gentian, juniper berry, kola nut, licorice root, and sarsaparilla.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Other highlights include a library gallery, a TV room, a wine cellar, and an exercise space, plus a posh primary suite holding an office, a private terrace, and a luxe bath showcased by a freestanding gray oval soaking tub.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2026
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Give it a quick shake, then either soak a cotton pad or pour a little into your palms and press it gently into your skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Marinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marinate. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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