awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

a

: alternately covered and exposed by waves or tide

b

: washing about : afloat

c

: covered with water : flooded

2

: filled, covered, or completely overrun as if by a flood

a movie awash in sentimentality

Synonyms

• bathed
• bedraggled
• doused
• dowsed
• drenched
• dripping
• logged
• saturate
• saturated
• soaked
• soaking
• sodden
• soggy
• sopping
• soppy
• soused
• washed
• water-soaked
• watered
• waterlogged
• watery
• wet

Examples of awash in a Sentence

The deck of the boat was almost awash.

the streets were awash from the heavy rains

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, social media is awash with parents opposed to the idea. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

The surface was awash with dead flies and bits of grass. —Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025

Critical Thinking In a world awash with data, the ability to discern signals from noise is invaluable. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

Prior to the start of Budweiser’s exclusive arrangement with the NFL, the Super Bowl was awash in suds, with Schlitz, Löwenbräu, Miller High Life, Schmidt’s, Lone Star, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Hamm’s and Blatz all doing their part to develop an indelible association between an ice-cold brew and gameday. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing awash

• drowning/awash in red ink

Rhymes for awash

• backwash
• downwash
• mouthwash
• outwash
• panache
• whitewash
• bosh
• frosh
• gosh
• josh
• posh
• quash

Kids Definition

awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

: washed by waves or tide

2

: floating about

3

a

: flooded or covered with water

b

: filled or covered as if by a flood

an event awash in emotion

Geographical Definition

Awash

geographical name

ˈä-ˌwäsh 

river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in eastern Ethiopia flowing northeast