awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh How to pronounce awash (audio)
-ˈwäsh
Synonyms of awash
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 of awash

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
The Victorian era was awash in handwringing about the loss of male vigor (some of which was blamed on the unnatural intellectual pursuits of women). — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026 The adjoining stone-and-wood bathroom is awash in natural light. — Mark David, Robb Report, 4 July 2026 One hundred years later, the country was awash with federal, state, city and philanthropic funding for a music-happy bicentennial of exceptional ambition. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Stars & Stripes Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea is a big part of America’s history, and that is honored at The Peninsula New York, who has introduced a Stars & Stripes Afternoon Tea, that is awash wit red, white, and blue and running through July 18. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for awash

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of awash was in 1801

Phrases Containing awash

Rhymes for awash

See All Rhymes for awash

Browse Nearby Words

awas
awash
Awash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Awash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awash. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

awash

adjective
ə-ˈwȯsh How to pronounce awash (audio)
-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 How to pronounce Awash (audio)
river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in eastern Ethiopia flowing northeast

More from Merriam-Webster on awash

Nglish: Translation of awash for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of highfalutin

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All