drowning

USAGE SUMMARY

'drowning' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You might use it when you want to talk about a literal drowning, or when you want to metaphorically describe a feeling of being overwhelmed. Example Sentence: The child was drowning in the deep lake, and the father raced to save her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, if we are going to be tough on border protection to avoid people drowning at sea, we also need to be compassionate by increasing the humanitarian refugee intake.

The Guardian

"Since then," says Loftus, "I and many others have planted bizarre memories of accidents: animal attacks, nearly drowning, witnessing demonic possession.

The Guardian

The situation is so bad that people are risking their lives, drowning trying to get to Europe.

The Guardian

OK, the Tories were drowning in the polls, but to hear Amanda talk it seemed as though they had it in the bag.

The Guardian

But the sad fact remains that until public opinion cares more about children drowning at sea than it does about immigrants settling next door, politicians will be loth to take a lead.

The Guardian

He is unmoved by the frog murders, drowning mice and sick dog.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our community continues to excuse the practise of drowning one's sorrows, but forgotten is that active alcoholics often go looking for sorrows in order to drown them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Patients also reported much more drinking, but it wasn't just the town "drowning their sorrows," Chalmers clarifies.

The Guardian

You will lose your talent for drowning out the truth: that clubbing is an activity so ludicrous, if you had to explain it to an alien you'd want as few visual aids as possible.

The Guardian

Five years on, O'Donnell has joined a stream of credit crunch debtors crossing the Irish Sea – or the Northern Irish border – to go bust in the UK, which is a far friendlier place for those drowning in debt.

The Guardian

These have become an accepted local aspiration, and risk drowning out alternative visions for the future of these cities.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drowning" to create a strong emotional impact, whether describing a literal event or a figurative state of being. The term evokes a sense of desperation and loss of control.

Common error

Avoid using "drowning" in unnecessarily passive constructions that weaken the impact. Instead of saying "problems were drowning him", opt for the more direct "he was drowning in problems".

Linguistic Context

The term "drowning" functions primarily as a verb, describing the act of suffocating in water or, metaphorically, being overwhelmed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "drowning" is a versatile term used both literally to describe suffocating in water and metaphorically to express being overwhelmed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used, especially in News & Media. Related phrases include "submerging" and "being overwhelmed". When using "drowning" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates an overwhelming nature. Avoid passive constructions and embrace the direct impactful nature of the word. From literal peril to figurative struggles, "drowning" effectively communicates a state of desperation and loss of control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submerging

Focuses on the act of going under water, similar to the literal sense of drowning.

sinking

Emphasizes the downward movement and loss of support, akin to the helplessness of drowning.

being overwhelmed

Captures the feeling of being burdened beyond capacity, analogous to the metaphorical sense of drowning.

succumbing

Highlights the act of yielding to a negative force, like the water in a drowning situation.

foundering

Suggests a breakdown or failure, similar to the catastrophic nature of drowning.

going under

A more colloquial way of saying drowning or being overwhelmed by something.

immersing

Focuses on being completely enveloped, akin to being surrounded by water while drowning.

deluging

Highlights the abundance of something negative, as if being flooded or drowned by it.

suffocating

Emphasizes the inability to breathe, similar to the physical sensation of drowning.

engulfing

Suggests being completely surrounded and consumed, like the water closing in on someone drowning.

FAQs

How can I use "drowning" in a sentence?

You can use "drowning" in sentences like "The child was rescued from "drowning" in the pool" or "She felt like she was "drowning" in paperwork".

What's a good metaphor using "drowning"?

A common metaphor is "drowning in debt", which describes being overwhelmed by financial obligations. Similarly, one might say they are "drowning in sorrow" to express intense grief.

What are some synonyms for "drowning" when referring to a literal event?

Synonyms for "drowning" in a literal context include "submerging", "sinking", or "going under".

How does "drowning" differ from "being overwhelmed"?

"Drowning" often implies a sudden and life-threatening situation, whether literal or metaphorical. "Being overwhelmed" is a broader term, suggesting a feeling of being burdened but not necessarily in immediate danger.