submerge

verb

sub·​merge səb-ˈmərj 

submerged; submerging

transitive verb

1

: to put under water

2

: to cover or overflow with water

3

: to make obscure or subordinate : suppress

personal lives submerged by professional responsibilities

intransitive verb

: to go under water

submergence

səb-ˈmər-jən(t)s 

noun

submergible

səb-ˈmər-jə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• deluge
• drown
• engulf
• flood
• gulf
• inundate
• overflow
• overwhelm
• submerse
• swamp

Examples of submerge in a Sentence

After boiling the broccoli, submerge it in ice water to stop the cooking process.

The town was submerged by the flood.

We watched as the divers prepared to submerge.

She's a marvelous actress who submerges herself totally in her roles.

Recent Examples on the Web

His latest monologue, in contrast, is submerged in the swamp of vintage misogyny. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024

The man was found at the rear of the property partially submerged in the creek, but conscious. —Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 4 Nov. 2024

The man allegedly claimed he was injured and partially submerged in water, per police, and a call led police to the Charles Hall Bridge on a mountain byway. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Water daily: Check the water level daily and refill as needed to keep the base submerged. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin submergere, from sub- + mergere to plunge — more at merge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

submerge

verb

sub·​merge səb-ˈmərj 

submerged; submerging

1

: to put or go underwater

the whale submerged

2

: to cover or become covered with or as if with water

floods submerged the town