engulf

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "engulf" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is surrounded and overwhelmed by something else, often in a negative way. For example: "The flames engulfed the entire building in no time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sinn Féin, which is straining to keep its anti-austerity policies north and south of the border in alignment, warned of an impending crisis that could "engulf the political institutions" of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

Depression, divorce and dependency can engulf even old hands – and when Kennedy was elected, he was a 23-year-old from a remote Scottish farming community who'd only been to London twice before.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such is the scale of the catastrophe that may be about to engulf the Labour party in Scotland that commentators and analysts are now deploying apocalyptic imagery to measure it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even if Labour are reduced to a mere rump of Scottish seats after 7 May, they ought to draw some comfort from the fact that the flames may soon also engulf the SNP.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Sutton's followers chanted their heroes home, the orange-bibbed stewards were overwhelmed by supporters surging on to the turf at Gander Green Lane to engulf the brave men who had endured the best Coventry could throw at them in the frantic final 15 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

That flood will engulf the economy, as those who lose their jobs spend less and those who keep them save more in case they too are sacked.

The Economist

Her demand that creditors must share in the losses triggered what is now being called the "Merkel crash", which threatens to engulf not just Ireland but Portugal, Spain and even Italy.

The Economist

Kadima is split, has no real political base or ideology, and corruption scandals threaten to engulf Mr Olmert and his finance minister.

The Economist

The Port Said families are furious; their innocent sons, they say, have been wrongly condemned by a politicised court to avoid the chaos that would engulf Cairo if the victims of the pitch invasion mostly supporters of Cairo's Ahly club were not avenged.

The Economist

This is what allows things like amoebae to move around and engulf their prey.

The Economist

The economic turmoil sweeping Asia was expected to turn south and engulf a country whose economy has been notoriously prone to boom-bust cycles.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engulf" to vividly describe situations where something is completely surrounded or overwhelmed, whether physically or metaphorically. It's particularly effective in emphasizing the intensity or completeness of the surrounding action.

Common error

Avoid using "engulf" in passive constructions where the subject isn't clearly doing the act of engulfing. Instead of saying "The city was engulfed by fog," a more direct and impactful phrasing would be "Fog engulfed the city."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "engulf" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of completely surrounding or covering something, often with an implication of overwhelming force or intensity. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its usage with both physical and metaphorical subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "engulf" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the action of completely surrounding or overwhelming something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts, often serving to emphasize the completeness and intensity of a situation. When writing, ensure the subject clearly performs the action of engulfing, and consider synonyms like "overwhelm" or "consume" to vary your vocabulary. Be mindful of using "engulf" in a neutral to formal register, as the tone is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelm

Emphasizes the emotional or mental impact of being flooded or overpowered, not necessarily a physical covering.

consume

Suggests a destructive or all-encompassing taking over, often implying a loss or reduction of the original entity.

submerge

Primarily refers to being covered by a liquid, but can also describe being deeply involved or absorbed.

swallow up

Suggests a complete disappearance or absorption into something larger.

immerse

Implies a deep involvement or absorption, often in a positive or voluntary way.

envelop

Highlights the surrounding or wrapping aspect, suggesting a gentle or protective covering.

bury

Focuses on concealing or covering something completely, often with earth or other material.

inundate

Implies being flooded with something, often referring to information or requests.

drown

Suggests being overwhelmed to the point of destruction or death, usually in water but applicable metaphorically.

overtake

Indicates a rapid and often unexpected takeover or surpassing of something.

FAQs

How is "engulf" typically used in a sentence?

"Engulf" is used to describe something completely surrounding or overwhelming something else. For example, "The flames "engulfed" the building" or "Despair "engulfed" her after the bad news".

What words can I use instead of "engulf"?

Depending on the context, you can use "overwhelm", "consume", "submerge", or "swallow up" as alternatives to "engulf".

Is it correct to use "engulf" to describe emotional states?

Yes, "engulf" can be used metaphorically to describe intense emotional states. For example, "A wave of sadness "engulfed" her" is a grammatically correct and vivid way to describe feeling overwhelmed by sadness.

What's the difference between "engulf" and "surround"?

"Surround" implies being enclosed on all sides, while "engulf" suggests a complete and often overwhelming covering or absorption. A crowd might "surround" a celebrity, but a scandal might "engulf" a politician.