engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
engulfed; engulfing; engulfs
Synonyms of engulfnext

transitive verb

1
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island
2
: to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
engulfment noun

Examples of engulf in a Sentence

The valley was engulfed in a thick fog. high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community
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.
Refuge in a church For three days, Josué, his parents and two siblings had taken refuge inside a church, trapped by a barrage of gunfire engulfing their neighborhood as rival gangs and the police fought nearby. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 Most of the fires burning in California right now ignited during an offshore wind event that engulfed much of the state, said Battalion Chief David Acuña of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 Brush fires erupt across Southern California The Verona Fire was just one of several brush fires to break out since the start of Monday, when the Sandy Fire exploded to engulf more than 1,300 acres in Ventura County. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026 Nine years after being engulfed in scandal, Eric’s rebranded nonprofit hosts an ever-expanding lineup of fundraisers, spending more than $500,000 a year. Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

engulf

verb
en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
engulfment noun

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