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.

Spanish police published footage of flooded fields and torrents of water that were engulfing buildings and vehicles.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

The pangrams from yesterday’s Spelling Bee were engulfing, fueling, funneling and unfeeling.

From New York Times • Jan. 6, 2023

I think that we both had complex mothers who were engulfing and smothering and toxic and difficult to navigate at times.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2018

That feeling had started to fray, then wilt, and now suspicion and fear were engulfing street corners in bitter protests and harsh words all over the country.

From Washington Post • Sep. 22, 2017

Measuring how quickly the flames were engulfing him, he hopped forward, the carbine in his right hand, the butt plate balanced against his hip.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson