engulfment

/ɪnˈɡʌlfmənt/
noun
  1. The act or process of being completely surrounded, covered, or swallowed up.
    • The rapid engulfment of the coastal town by the tsunami was captured on video.
    • The engulfment of the building by flames happened in just a few minutes.
    • Scientists studied the engulfment of the star by the black hole.
  2. The state of being emotionally or mentally overwhelmed.
    • The novel explores the protagonist's engulfment by paranoia.
    • She described her engulfment by grief after losing her pet.
    • Meditation can help prevent the engulfment of daily stress.