soak 1 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soak

2 of 2

verb

ˈsōk How to pronounce soak (audio)
1
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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2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wet
to make wet that downpour soaked my hair, and now I look like a sight

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4
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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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

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 soak
Noun
Online research had recommended letting the fish soak submerged in milk for around 20 minutes, before rinsing and cooking in your preferred fashion. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026 Skimping on water is another one; new grass needs consistent moisture, not the occasional deep soak. — Amanda Tust, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
The primary suite includes a large bathroom with two walk-in closets, dual showers, separate water closets and a soaking tub, while the outdoor amenities include a cold plunge and hot tub. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Other details include that the primary suite includes a large bathroom with two walk-in closets, dual showers, separate water closets and a soaking tub, while the outdoor amenities include a cold plunge and hot tub. — David Caraccio, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soak
  1. alcoholic
  2. saturate
  3. gouge
  4. wet
  5. drink
  6. soaker
  7. drown
  8. sting
Noun
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence increasingly suggests alcohol is so toxic that no amount is truly risk-free — regardless of whether somebody is an alcoholic or not.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of alcoholic
Verb
  • The rainfall has the potential to cause dangerous rip currents, life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep areas and places where the ground remains saturated, the center said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of saturate
Verb
  • The shrapnel tore through the metal surrounding the engine, shattering the window at row 11, leaving a dent in the plane near row 8 and puncturing the body below the wing, as well as gouging and denting the tail, the NTSB said.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Also, refrain from pressure washing aggressively, as this can gouge the wood.
    — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026
Definition of gouge
Verb
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    — Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • Most are men between the ages of 18 and 49, without a college degree, earning less than $50,000 a year, less religious than average, and likely to also drink alcohol.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Food and drink Three meals a day—included in the rate, except for alcohol—are served in the main lodge, with every group being assigned the same table during their stay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • If a soaker is in the forecast, go ahead and harvest all nearly ripe tomatoes—the fruit that is two-thirds of the way fully colored.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Funk recommends using a soaker hose or drip irrigation, both of which deliver water to plants slowly at soil level, near plant roots.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of soaker
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
Verb
  • As a young Black woman, the betrayal stung as much as a rejection by any guy.
    — Sarah Jones, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The bugs, particularly ticks, ants, mosquitoes and stinging insects, are going to take full advantage thanks to warmer temperatures, according to the National Pest Management Associations (NPMA)'s biannual Bug Barometer®.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting

Phrases Containing soak

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Cite this Entry

“Soak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soak. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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