1. the act or process of surrounding or swallowing up completely
2. the state of being completely surrounded or overwhelmed by something

Examples

• The engulfment of the small town by the expanding city changed its character forever.
• Divers feared engulfment by the sudden underwater current.
• The engulfment of the forest by flames spread rapidly across the hillside.
• She felt a sense of engulfment as the crowd pressed around her.
• The engulfment of the ship by waves during the storm was terrifying.
• The engulfment of traditional values by modern culture concerned many elders.