drenched in sweat

USAGE SUMMARY

"drenched in sweat" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use this phrase to describe someone who is very hot and sweaty due to physical exertion. For example, "He had been exercising for hours and was drenched in sweat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was drenched in sweat.

The Guardian

I was pale and drenched in sweat.

The New York Times - Travel

He appeared disoriented and drenched in sweat.

The Guardian

"I'm O.K.," Sullivan says, drenched in sweat.

The New York Times - Magazine

I arrived drenched in sweat to a cool, welcome retreat.

The New York Times

He returned 75 minutes later, drenched in sweat.

The New York Times - Sports

I spent the entire trip drenched in sweat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On every other page, he is "drenched in sweat".

The Guardian - Books

I've just realised my shirt is drenched in sweat.

The Guardian - Sport

He startles awake, his sheets drenched in sweat.

The New York Times - Health

He sat drenched in sweat after a morning workout.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drenched in sweat" to vividly describe someone's physical exertion or discomfort due to heat, but consider the context to ensure it's appropriate and not overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "drenched in sweat" in situations where a less intense description would suffice; for example, saying someone is "drenched in sweat" after a mild walk might be an exaggeration. Opt for phrases like "slightly sweaty" or "a little perspired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drenched in sweat" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being thoroughly soaked with sweat, often implying intense physical exertion, heat, or anxiety. Ludwig examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drenched in sweat" is a common and effective way to describe someone who is extremely sweaty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "soaked in perspiration" or "saturated with sweat" exist, "drenched in sweat" offers a vivid and easily understandable image. When using this phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required, avoiding overuse in contexts where a milder description would be more appropriate. As Ludwig examples shows, overuse may be inappropriate and should be revised.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soaked in perspiration

Replaces "sweat" with the more formal "perspiration" and "drenched" with "soaked", slightly increasing formality.

saturated with sweat

Uses "saturated" to denote being completely filled or soaked with sweat, similar to "drenched".

covered in sweat

Replaces "drenched" with "covered", indicating a less intense saturation but still conveying a significant amount of sweat.

dripping with sweat

Uses "dripping" to emphasize the visible and active presence of sweat.

streaming with sweat

Emphasizes the continuous flow and movement of sweat across the body.

awash in sweat

Employs "awash" to suggest being flooded or completely covered by sweat, creating a vivid image.

pouring with sweat

Indicates a copious and continuous flow of sweat.

perspiring heavily

Shifts the focus to the act of sweating intensely rather than the resulting state.

sweating profusely

Highlights the abundance of sweat, emphasizing the volume produced.

wet with perspiration

A more clinical description, replacing "drenched" with "wet" and "sweat" with "perspiration".

FAQs

How can I use "drenched in sweat" in a sentence?

You can use "drenched in sweat" to describe someone who is extremely sweaty, often due to intense physical activity or heat. For example, "After the marathon, he was "drenched in sweat"."

What are some alternatives to "drenched in sweat"?

Some alternatives include "soaked in sweat", "covered in sweat", or "dripping with sweat". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "drenched in sweat" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "drenched in sweat" might be considered too informal for highly formal or scientific writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "saturated with perspiration" or "profusely perspiring".

What's the difference between "drenched in sweat" and "slightly sweaty"?

"Drenched in sweat" implies a significant amount of sweat, suggesting intense exertion or heat. "Slightly sweaty", on the other hand, indicates a minimal amount of perspiration and mild effort.