SATURATE Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of saturate are drench , impregnate , soak , and steep . While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. // a saturated sponge

Q: In what contexts can 'drench' take the place of 'saturate'?

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

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

While the synonyms impregnate and saturate are close in meaning, impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. // a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

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

Although the words soak and saturate have much in common, 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 'saturate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to saturate , 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

saturate 1 of 2

verb

ˈsa-chə-ˌrāt

Definition of saturate

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid saturate your hair with water before applying the dye

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saturate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsach-rət

as in saturated

containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water the test will only work if the sample cloth is saturate with solution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of saturate are drench, impregnate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

In what contexts can drench take the place of saturate?

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

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

When could impregnate be used to replace saturate?

While the synonyms impregnate and saturate are close in meaning, impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Where would soak be a reasonable alternative to saturate?

Although the words soak and saturate have much in common, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When would steep be a good substitute for saturate?

While in some cases nearly identical to saturate, 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 saturate

Verb

Authorities in Colima said the risks remained low but warned that heavy rainfall could cause damage because successive storms had already saturated the ground along the Pacific coast. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 If the soils were not saturated, microbial decomposition would happen too quickly, breaking down organic matter before the thick layers of peat, the signature of boglands, had a chance to form. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Rain could aid firefighting efforts and saturate dry fuels, reducing their risk of igniting in the future. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 Fully saturate mid-lengths to ends, avoiding your scalp entirely. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for saturate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for saturate

Verb

In cars or on foot, the streets and sidewalks were almost impossible to pass without getting soaked.

— Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Fill a tub with cold water and roughly 50 grams of Epsom salts, then let your sheets soak overnight.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of soak

Adjective

Yet Netflix's growth has slowed in recent years amid mounting competition from other streaming platforms and a saturated North American market.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Authentic Individualism By 2027, the essential skill communicators need won’t be using AI but maintaining authentic individualism in an AI-saturated world.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of saturated

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

Adjective

Two days later, the company confirmed a delivery received the prior week had been dripping hydrofluoric acid — a chemical that corrodes metal and can produce toxic fumes.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026
Even while dripping in haute couture, Edebiri somehow never appears stuffy or unapproachable — quite the opposite.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dripping

Verb

Wildly popular and drenched in high-tech special effects, the film had a then-record domestic opening of nearly $12 million and ranked among the year-end Top 5.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Whether decked out in clusters of large spherical blossoms or enchanting lacecap flowers, there’s a perfect hydrangea for nearly every yard—whether drenched in sun or cloaked in shade—and every gardener’s personality.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of drench

Adjective

AHAs show up in everything from cleansers and toners to serums, pre-soaked pads, and even body lotions.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
In a small 2024 study, participants who consumed 10 grams of soaked basil seeds daily for eight weeks had lower levels of several inflammatory markers.

— Lindsey DeSoto, HEALTH, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of soaked

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

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sat tight

saturate

saturated

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“Saturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saturate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of saturate

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