Synonyms

engulf

American

[en-guhlf] / ɛnˈgʌlf /

Also ingulf

verb (used with object)

to swallow up in or as in a gulf; submerge.

The overflowing river has engulfed many small towns along its banks.

Synonyms:

swamp, deluge, inundate, bury, envelop
to plunge or immerse, as into a gulf.

He engulfed himself in his studies.

engulf British

/ ɪnˈɡʌlf /

verb

to immerse, plunge, bury, or swallow up
(often passive) to overwhelm

engulfed by debts

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

engulfment noun

Etymology

Origin of engulf

First recorded in 1545–55; en- ¹ + gulf

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That range started with a bearish evening star in the first week of November 2023 at $50, but the $40 level has been rock solid since a bullish engulfing candle last April.

From Barron's

Within hours, the flames had spread to other parts of the block and smoke engulfed the street.

From BBC

Bouchard said 30 police officers were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation as the building was "engulfed" in flames.

From BBC

Another bull flag has just formed around the $90 number, shrugging off the ugly bearish engulfing candle from Feb. 12.

From Barron's

That big surge ended with some doji and bearish engulfing candles.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023