engulf vs absorb

engulf and absorb both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
engulf	No	No	Yes	No
absorb	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, engulf and absorb are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of engulf include engross, immerse, plunge, soak up, steep.

engulf (verb)	absorb (verb)
devote (oneself) fully to	cause to become one with
flow over or cover completely	take up mentally
	consume all of one's attention or time
	devote (oneself) fully to
	take in, also metaphorically
	become imbued
	assimilate or take in
	take up, as of debts or payments
	suck or take up or in