The word 吞噬 is a compound verb formed through the complementary combination of two synonymous characters: 吞 (tūn), which means "to swallow" or "gulp down", and 噬 (shì), which means "to bite" or "gnaw". Together, they create a more vivid and forceful meaning than either character alone, metaphorically describing the act of completely engulfing, devouring, or consuming something, often used for abstract concepts like darkness engulfing light or one company taking over another.