as in to drown
to put (food, such as meat or fish) in a sauce for a period of time to add flavor or tenderize
The recipe says that you should marinate the chicken overnight.
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Recent Examples of marinate
Grilled Steak With Chunky Guacamole Salad This well-marbled, flavorful flat iron steak is marinated in olive oil and taco seasoning, then seared on the stove and served with an easy pico de gallo with chunks of avocado.
—
Deputy Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
While the meat is still safe to eat, marinating can help extend its shelf life, according to Chef Hervé Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Get the recipe > Maple syrup sweetens the spice paste—fragrant with cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—used to marinate a whole bird in this hearty supper from British Indian chef Romy Gill.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
The sandwich offers a chicken breast filet marinated in Popeyes seasonings and hand-battered and breaded in buttermilk before being fried.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for marinate
Deputy Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
While the meat is still safe to eat, marinating can help extend its shelf life, according to Chef Hervé Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Get the recipe > Maple syrup sweetens the spice paste—fragrant with cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—used to marinate a whole bird in this hearty supper from British Indian chef Romy Gill.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
The sandwich offers a chicken breast filet marinated in Popeyes seasonings and hand-battered and breaded in buttermilk before being fried.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for marinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marinate
Verb
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Esa Lindell, Heiskanen’s primary partner, has been drowning at five-on-five, and the Stars have been outscored 5-0 with him on the ice.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Some appear to be cordially greeting viewers with a wave, while others evince the desperation of a person drowning.—
Dawn Chan,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Great on their own, over yogurt, or better yet, macerated and served over ice cream, in cakes and as the star of the strawberry shortcake, strawberries are completely craveable.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
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Mix with a rubber spatula and macerate for 15 minutes.—
Amisha Gurbani,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officials say soaking rain is needed to snuff out the larger fires.—
Emilie Megnien,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The primary suite boasts two walk-in closets and a spacious en-suite bathroom with a soaking tub.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Marinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marinate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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