noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
drowning; being submerged in water
Literary or formal term for being immersed in water, often with a sense of sinking or drowning. Rare in everyday speech.
彼は川で沈溺しそうになった。
He nearly drowned in the river.
沈溺する危険があるので、この湖
Please do not swim in this lake because of the danger of drowning.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
being infatuated; being absorbed in; being blinded by
Figurative use: being so engrossed in something (e.g., love, pleasure) that one loses oneself, like drowning. Literary and somewhat archaic.
彼は酒色に沈溺して身を持ち崩した。
He ruined himself by indulging in drink and women.
快楽に沈溺する生活は長く続かない。
A life absorbed in pleasure cannot last long.