DOUSE Synonyms: 213 Similar and Opposite Words

douse 1 of 3

verb (1)

variants also dowse

Definition of douse

as in to extinguish

to cause to cease burning douse the campfire before leaving in the morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to drown

to make wet the heavy rains thoroughly doused the tourists strolling the town streets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dip

to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid douse the grapes in water to remove any grit

Synonyms & Similar Words

douse

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈdau̇s

as in to remove

to rid oneself of (a garment) in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

douse

3 of 3

noun

ˈdüs

British

as in blow

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument those soccer hooligans need a sound douse or two from a police officer's club

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of douse

Verb

Canadian researchers curtained off two halves of a lake during the late 1960s and doused each with different fertilizers. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Other videos show heavy flames as firefighters doused the blaze from outside. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

For a sweeter option, the sourdough waffle also tasted textbook with a douse of maple syrup. — Restaurant Critic, Houston Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 Then came two sons calling about an alcoholic father who drank to douse the stress of his perfectionism. — Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for douse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for douse

Verb

Emergency workers continued to extinguish fires and identify and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, Zelenskyy added.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Emergency workers continued to extinguish fires and identify and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, Zelensky added.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of extinguish

Verb

Deputies riding Sea-Doos on July 18 rescued three swimmers not wearing life jackets who were close to drowning on Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The turbine room could have filled with water if the emergency shutdown systems failed, potentially drowning anyone inside.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drown

Verb

The gathered detailing on the backrest of this velvety loveseat looks as if the couch was dipped in chocolate.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
After dipping its toes into beauty, Old Navy has refined its strategy and is gearing up for a nationwide rollout.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of dip

Verb

In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Though your home may have its share of appliances, mail, mugs, or anything else that lives on your countertops daily, they should be removed before listing.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of remove

Noun

If the aim, as stated, is to deal an economic blow to Iran, the fact is that the country is already under severe strain.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.

— Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of wet

Verb

Bucci wanted to immerse himself in the centre of the international show jumping world.

— Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
At the restaurant, tables plonked in the sand feel intimate and experiential as well as immersed in the changing colors of the sunset sky.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of immerse

Browse Nearby Words

dourness

douse

doused

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Douse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/douse. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of douse

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes