SOAK Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'soak' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of soak are drench , impregnate , saturate , and steep . While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing. // soak the garment in soapy water

Q: When might 'drench' be a better fit than 'soak'?

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

Q: Where would 'impregnate' be a reasonable alternative to 'soak'?

The words impregnate and soak can be used in similar contexts, but impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. // a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Q: When could 'saturate' be used to replace 'soak'?

The synonyms saturate and soak are sometimes interchangeable, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. // a saturated sponge

Q: When can 'steep' be used instead of 'soak'?

While in some cases nearly identical to soak , 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

soak 1 of 2

noun

Definition of soak next

as in alcoholic

a person who makes a habit of getting drunk felt sorry for the town soak, who couldn't hold a job

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soak

2 of 2

verb

ˈsōk

as in to saturate

to wet thoroughly with liquid we ran for home as soon as the rain started, but our clothes still ended up soaked

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as in to gouge

to charge (someone) too much for goods or services a merchant who soaks the tourists every summer

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undercharge

as in to wet

to make wet that downpour soaked my hair, and now I look like a sight

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as in to drink

to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages depressed about his love life, he repaired to a bar to soak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

abstain

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of soak are drench, impregnate, saturate, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When might drench be a better fit than soak?

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

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

Where would impregnate be a reasonable alternative to soak?

The words impregnate and soak can be used in similar contexts, but impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When could saturate be used to replace soak?

The synonyms saturate and soak are sometimes interchangeable, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

When can steep be used instead of soak?

While in some cases nearly identical to soak, 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

Examples 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 soak

Noun

The high-end cabins are rich with thoughtful details and decorations, such as front porches with rocking chairs, clawfoot tubs for a soak, and modern farmhouse coffee bars. —

Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024 These are the top 10 spots in the country to visit for a therapeutic soak, according to USA Today. —

Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 13 July 2024

Verb

Somebody was just telling me today, they got soaked with water and windblown. —

Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024 First, try soaking it in warm, soapy water, then scrubbing gently with a sponge or soft brush. —

Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for soak

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soak

Noun

Protagonist Cyrus Shams — son of one of the passengers, poet and recovering alcoholic — is coming straight for your heart.

Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
One that really hit him was Pepper Pong, created by Tom Filippini, a recovering alcoholic, as a way to gather friends and family that doesn’t involve drinking.

Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024