Synonyms for

Drowning

Verb / ˈdraʊnɪŋ / Another word for drowning — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to die from suffocation while underwater

Synonyms & similar words

drown submerge overwhelm swim suffocation submersion immersion asphyxiation dying perishing sink

Synonyms by register

Formal

submergence asphyxiation suffocation

Informal

going under kicking the bucket croaking

Literary

watery grave the deep

Antonyms

breathing floating swimming emerging surviving thriving rescuing

Common collocations

  • drowning in debt
  • drowning in work
  • drowning man
  • drowning victim
  • drowning sensation
  • drowning pool
  • drowning rat

Word family

noun drowning
verb drown
adjective drowning

Usage note

While 'drowning' can refer to the literal act of dying in water, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by something, such as debt or work.

Example sentences

  1. The lifeguard saved the boy from drowning.
  2. She almost drowned in the lake.
  3. The flood caused many people to drown.
  4. They found the missing fisherman's body drowned in the river.
  5. He had to be rescued from drowning after falling off the boat.

Quotes

  • I'm drowning in paperwork.
  • It is not death I fear, I just fear doing nothing with my life and drowning in mediocrity.
  • I don't want to drown in this life.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words