DRENCH Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

drench

verb

ˈdrench

Definition of drench

as in to wet

to make wet we were drenched by the sudden rainstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid when using the carpet shampooer, wet but do not drench the carpet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 After an in medias res introduction with Cardellini’s Pamela starring at herself in the mirror, drenched in blood, the story goes back nine months and we’re introduced to a cleaner Pamela working the kitchen at Camp Crystal Lake in New Jersey. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026 Its rainfall drenched communities from San Diego to the desert Southwest and even triggered flooding in Las Vegas. — Nicholas Grondin, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 Main drags like Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach and numerous adjacent streets have been drenched in floodwaters. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 Closer still to the falls, the mist is heavy enough to drench the sightseers stopping to gawk at the spectacle from viewing points, or on slippery pathways between the various lookouts. — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drench

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drench

Verb

One of these chambers contains a disc of fabric that is pre-wetted with water, one contains a foaming agent made up of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium bicarbonate (the main component of baking soda), and one contains a drop of eye medication.

— Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Per a guide from Nectr, saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients, and how much is actually absorbed depends on the formulation and how the pouch is used.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of wet

Verb

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory Thursday as rain and king tides are forecast to soak South Florida.

— Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Paltrow has described her own approach as more restrained, with dry-brushing before heat and a 20-minute warm bath soak most evenings.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of soak

Verb

Equally weighting stocks ensures companies in smaller industries aren’t drowned out by massive ones, like Big Tech.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Other components in blood can produce stronger signals that drown them out, according to a scientific review published in Applied Spectroscopy.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of drown

Verb

Colors were suitably accurate and nicely saturated, and the image offered good contrast across the board from dark to bright scenes, along with impressively good shadow detail and a sense of three-dimensionality in dark scenes.

— M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
That translated into a vibrant palette of rock ‘n roll, soul, metal, hip-hop, and of course the rich Seattle sound that saturates daily life for Jones.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of saturate

Verb

Airbnb guests can say goodbye to checkout chores like washing dishes, stripping beds and taking out the trash under a new policy announced this week.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
An employee handled dirty utensils and dishes with gloves on and later handled clean dishes with those same gloves without washing hands in between.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of wash

Verb

Prosecutors allege Farwell, a married Stoughton police officer, agreed to impregnate Birchmore in exchange for her silence about their relationship.

— Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026
The girl was found in Mexico along with her father, 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez, who authorities allege abused and impregnated her.

— Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of impregnate

Verb

For much of the Gaza war, Israeli protesters flooded the streets demanding that Netanyahu strike a deal with Hamas to release Israeli hostages and end the fighting.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The area has experienced unusually heavy rain since Wednesday that caused rivers to surge, flooding homes and forcing water rescues.

— Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of flood

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dreich

drench

drenched

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“Drench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drench. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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