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

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

For the uninitiated, instead of a bottle or tube, these formulas are housed in a compact with a sponge saturated in foundation. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026 After seeding, keep the planting bed moist but not saturated through light daily watering for the first two weeks. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 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

Palace workers also collected cards soaked after a nightly downpour and dried them to preserve the mourners’ messages for posterity, NRK reported.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Excess moisture is the biggest concern, so avoid soaking the surface and dry it thoroughly after cleaning.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of soak

Adjective

From unexpected combinations to pops of saturated accessories, this season is all about self-expression and letting color lead the way.

— Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
High-frequency brand campaigns in saturated markets remain notoriously difficult to isolate cleanly on a short cadence.

— Tobin Thomas, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of saturated

Verb

Deputies riding Sea-Doos on July 18 rescued three swimmers not wearing life jackets who were close to drowning on Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The turbine room could have filled with water if the emergency shutdown systems failed, potentially drowning anyone inside.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drown

Adjective

The 59-year-old actress kept the summer vibes going at the Practical Magic 2 premiere on August 26, shimmering from head to toe in a seafoam green sequin gown that was dripping in pearls and gold chains.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
The man in black is wracked and choking, mangling the words, eyes dripping.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dripping

Verb

In another part of the study, the research team saw that fat cells behaved differently when drenched with blood collected from the HIIT folks, including changes involved in many genes that regulate fat and whole-body metabolism.

— Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
Le Creuset modeled the color after stone château rooftops and the morning mist that drenches the countryside in a gentle gray hue.

— Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of drench

Adjective

Fortunately for us, there are plenty of ways to mix the two this weekend — from spa deals and rum-soaked revelry to a nostalgic hard rock show or a night of stress-busting belly laughs.

— Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Kornacki then exclaimed, trying to collect his soaked papers.

— Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of soaked

Verb

However, following reports that Jagger impregnated Brazilian model Luciana Morad, Hall went to file for divorce only to find out their nuptials were never legally binding.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
My favorite titles reveal that the land of love can be treacherous terrain—migration, murder, parental illness, a stranger impregnated.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 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 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of saturate

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