saturate 1 of 2

verb

ˈsa-chə-ˌrāt How to pronounce saturate (audio)
Definition of saturatenext
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 How to pronounce saturate (audio)
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

Synonym Chooser

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
Our children are growing up in a world saturated with media: phones, tablets, computers, TVs and more. —Jacqueline Nesi, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2025 When the Tidal Basin floods, saltwater saturates the soil and can enter the roots of the trees. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
However, even when hair is dry and thick, experts advise washing at least twice a week to remove all the residues that can accumulate on the scalp, and that saturate and weaken the hair. —Ana Morales, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2023 To use, spray directly on the stain and saturate well. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for saturate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saturate
  1. soak
  2. saturated
  3. drown
  4. drench
  5. impregnate
  6. immerse
Verb
  • The Premiere Suite has a spacious private terrace overlooking the garden and a soaking tub under the monumental rose window that looks onto the chapel.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The primary suite has a soaking tub, double sink, a stand-alone shower and is outfitted in Calacatta marble.
    — Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of soak
Adjective
  • Follow the journalist for a continued conversation about the risks of injectables, why founders need to invest in TikTok, and how to maintain success as a beauty brand in 2024’s saturated market.
    — Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These foods are high in saturated fats, which contribute to chronic inflammation, gut issues, and weight gain—all of which can lead to liver problems.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of saturated
Verb
  • Tragedy struck the Kilmer family in 1977 when Kilmer’s younger brother Wesley drowned at the young age of 15.
    — Ale Russian, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • His younger brother Wesley drowned in a swimming pool in 1977, an event that haunted Kilmer for years afterward.
    — The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of drown
Verb
  • 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
  • Gomez and Blanco commit to the homage, drenching Gomez’s voice in Auto-Tune in the verse and adding a squelchy, SOPHIE-esque interlude.
    — Justin Curto, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of drench
Verb
  • But he was struck by the resemblance and wondered: What if Rania's daughters were raped and impregnated by one of Assad's forces?
    — Mirna Alrached, NPR, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The Maine Wire first broke the story about the Haitian migrant, Ronald Joseph, 42, impregnating the girl.
    — Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of impregnate
Verb
  • Bassa was specifically honored for her synthesis of bright blue Jell-O. Med school Q: Why do fingers and toes wrinkle when immersed in water?
    — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The Duchess of Sussex recently told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about their family immersing themselves in the local community, who have gotten to know her from school drop-offs and playdates with Archie and Lili.
    — Stephanie Petit, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of immerse

Browse Nearby Words

sat tight
saturate
saturated
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Cite this Entry

“Saturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saturate. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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