submerge

[suhb-murj]

verb (used with object)

submerged, submerging 

1. to put or sink below the surface of water or any other enveloping medium.

   Synonyms: submerse

2. to cover or overflow with water; immerse.

   Synonyms: engulf, inundate, flood

3. to cover over; suppress; conceal; obscure; repress.

   His aspirations were submerged by the necessity of making a living.

verb (used without object)

submerged, submerging 

1. to sink or plunge under water or beneath the surface of any enveloping medium.

2. to be covered or lost from sight.

submerge

/ səbˈmɜːs, səbˈmɜːdʒ, səbˈmɜːʃən /

verb

1. to plunge, sink, or dive or cause to plunge, sink, or dive below the surface of water, etc

2. (tr) to cover with water or some other liquid

3. (tr) to hide; suppress

4. (tr) to overwhelm, as with work, difficulties, etc

Other Word Forms

• submergence noun
• resubmerge verb
• unsubmerging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of submerge¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin submergere, equivalent to sub- sub- + mergere “to dip, immerse”; merge

Word History and Origins

Origin of submerge¹

C17: from Latin submergere, from _sub- + mergere to immerse

Example Sentences

I waded a long way out, til the bottom grew mucky and seaweed tickled my legs, then submerged.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

People who were in the path of the deadly wall of water that swept down the mountainside stood little chance as it washed away a bridge, uprooted trees and submerged vehicles.

Read more on BBC

The flooding washed away several key bridges, submerged vehicles and left the ground floors of homes underwater.

Read more on BBC

Flooding has submerged cars in one city as torrential rain has caused disruption across Wales.

Read more on BBC

The water started entering people's houses, and before long, the Gwange area where he lived was submerged.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• deluge 
• douse 
• drench 
• drown 
• engulf 
• flood 
• immerse 
• inundate 
• overflow 
• overwhelm 
• sink 
• subside 
• swamp