Saturate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is thoroughly and completely filled with a liquid, often to the point where it can't absorb any more. It can also refer to media or markets that are overloaded with information or products.

• The sponge is so saturated with water that it's dripping.
• The market is saturated with smartphones; it's hard to launch a new one.

Typically used when an object is being left in a liquid for an extended period of time to become thoroughly wet. It can also refer to absorbing information or experiences.

• Leave the beans to soak overnight before cooking them.
• After the long walk, she enjoyed a soak in the hot tub.

Often used in a biological or physical sense, such as the introduction of a substance into something else. It also commonly refers to making someone pregnant. Negative connotations can arise from its use outside of these contexts.

• The scientists managed to impregnate the material with a special resin to make it stronger.
• She was impregnated with the idea of starting her own business.

Typically used in a more abstract sense, referring to infusing something or someone with a particular quality or emotion.

• The teacher's passion for literature imbued the students with a love of reading.
• His speech was imbued with a sense of urgency.

When something is fully soaked or completely filled with liquid, information, or another substance.

• The sponge is highly absorbent and can easily saturate with water.
• The market is already saturated with similar products.

Typically used when there is an overflow of water or an overwhelming amount of something, often creating problems.

• Heavy rains caused the river to flood the nearby fields.
• Emails about the new product flooded my inbox.

Refers specifically to having too much of a product or resource, usually leading to wasted surplus.

• Due to a miscalculation, there was an oversupply of tomatoes this season.
• An oversupply of luxury cars led to a significant drop in prices.

Use when something is overwhelmed by a large number or amount of things, often with a negative connotation.

• The customer service team was inundated with complaints after the system crash.
• The town was inundated with floodwaters from the hurricane.

Saturate is often used when talking about completely soaking something with liquid or filling something to its capacity. It can be used in scientific contexts as well as everyday situations.

• The sponge saturates with water quickly
• The market is saturated with new tech gadgets

Flood is used to describe a large volume of water covering an area that is usually dry. It can also describe being overwhelmed by a large amount of something, often unexpectedly.

• The river flooded the nearby fields
• My inbox was flooded with emails after the announcement

Overwhelm is commonly used to describe a situation where something is too much to handle or causes a strong emotional response. It has a negative connotation if it describes a stressful situation.

• The amount of work overwhelmed me
• She was overwhelmed with joy at the news

Immerse is used when talking about putting something completely into a liquid, or deeply involving oneself in an activity or environment.

• She immersed herself in the warm bath
• He immersed himself in his studies for the final exams