submerge
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to sink or plunge under water or beneath the surface of any enveloping medium.
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to be covered or lost from sight.
verb
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to plunge, sink, or dive or cause to plunge, sink, or dive below the surface of water, etc
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(tr) to cover with water or some other liquid
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(tr) to hide; suppress
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(tr) to overwhelm, as with work, difficulties, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have submergedperfect
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has submergedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been submergingperfect progressive
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has been submergingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are submergingprogressive
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am submergingprogressive 1st person singular
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is submergingprogressive 3rd person singular
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submergessingular 3rd person
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submergingparticiple
Past
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had submergedperfect
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had been submergingperfect progressive
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were submergingprogressive plural
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was submergingprogressive singular
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submergedsimple
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submergedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of submerge
First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin submergere, equivalent to sub- sub- + mergere “to dip, immerse”; see merge
Explanation
When you go swimming, you submerge your body in water. If your head is out of the water, it is not submerged — it's just wet. To really soak a washcloth, you should submerge it in a basin of water. It is said that the word submerge was invented by William Shakespeare. We don't know that for sure, but we know that its appearance in the play Antony and Cleopatra is the first recorded time the word was written, and therefore read, by anyone.
Vocabulary lists containing submerge
A Recipe for Success: Thanksgiving Cooking Words
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Power Prefix: sub-
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"Rogue Wave," Vocabulary from the short story
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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.
Submerge chard, turning it so it cooks evenly, and simmer over medium heat, 1 minute or so.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2022
Submerge marshmallow in hot oil, turning every so often, and cook until golden brown on the outside.
From Salon • Oct. 9, 2022
Submerge food in leakproof bags in a bowl of cold tap water.
From Washington Post • May 13, 2020
Submerge the snap peas and shelled peas in the boiling water.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2019
"Submerge to the tip of the periscope," ordered Lord Hastings, and put his eye to the instrument as Jack repeated the command.
From The Boy Allies Under the Sea by Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
