soak 1 of 2

soak

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to gouge
to charge (someone) too much for goods or services a merchant who soaks the tourists every summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to drink
to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages depressed about his love life, he repaired to a bar to soak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word soak different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of soak are drench, impregnate, saturate, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

When might drench be a better fit than soak?

In some situations, the words drench and soak are roughly equivalent. However, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

Where would impregnate be a reasonable alternative to soak?

The words impregnate and soak can be used in similar contexts, but impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When could saturate be used to replace soak?

The synonyms saturate and soak are sometimes interchangeable, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

When can steep be used instead of soak?

While in some cases nearly identical to soak, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of soak
Noun
The same can be said of Lush Bath Bombs, which bring colorful, childlike joy to every soak. Sophia Panych, Allure, 15 May 2025 How long to brine chicken: Something as simple as a 15-minute soak will pay off, but if possible, aim for 1 hour per pound of chicken for a wet brine, and 8 to 24 hours for a dry brine. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Soft gel manicures often have to be filed off the nail in combination with soaking the polish in acetone, which, if improperly done, can cause damage to the nail bed, making your nails thinner and more prone to breaking or chipping. Anna Bader, Glamour, 27 May 2025 Let the seeds soak for at least 10 minutes to allow the gel to form before drinking. Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for soak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soak
Noun
  • If a parent is an alcoholic, their child will either also become one or never drink a drop of it in their life.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 May 2025
  • In 1978, the year after Crawford’s death, Christina published Mommie Dearest, a memoir of her childhood that alleged child abuse and portrayed the star as an emotionally volatile alcoholic, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For large campuses, redundant programing is often needed, and there may be times in which saturating a campus with an outreach initiative is warranted.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Price’s staff alleged the blaze sent a toxic plume saturated with lead and other dangerous chemicals drifting over the East Bay, before the company’s staff allegedly tried covering it up.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Other fragments from the site appear to have flaked off large columns that once supported the villa’s porticoed garden: They’re composed of curved stucco gouged with decorative vertical lines, meant to make the columns fluted.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
  • However, because of the platform’s independent storefront model, Depop has limited regulations in place to monitor issues such as price gouging on hard to come by products.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His mother wet a sponge to moisten his lips and tongue.
    Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
  • The president’s health has been the subject of speculation for years; in 2023, six journalists were arrested after they were accused of sharing a video that appeared to show the president wetting himself.
    Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • This advisory is in effect until Friday at 9 p.m. NWS Heat Wave Safety Advice: Protect yourself with these recommendations Stay hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
  • The event will include food, drink, a concert and more.
    La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Sliwa hoped that the mere presence of his Magnificent Thirteen would force petty criminals to think twice before snatching a woman’s necklace or rolling a drunk.
    Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Nora wants no part of the movie or of him, calling him a drunk who has caused the family nothing but pain.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • That’s no small feat in a world drowning in content.
    Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • In the film, Charles survives a plane crash, nearly drowns and is finally eaten by a shark.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Its allure is rooted in seeing the celebrity guest melt beneath the weight of hot sauce: Shaq’s eyes stung red with tears, viscera gushed from O’Brien nose.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 May 2025
  • Recent history suggests that Republicans would take few lessons from even a stinging rebuke in the midterms.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Soak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soak. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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