dousing 1 of 2

verb (1)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dousing

2 of 2

verb (2)

variants also dowsing
present participle of douse
1
as in extinguishing
to cause to cease burning douse the campfire before leaving in the morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wetting
to make wet the heavy rains thoroughly doused the tourists strolling the town streets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dipping
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

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 dousing
Verb
Black-and-white news footage shows volunteer firefighters swatting flames with tree branches and dousing flare-ups with flower-pot watering cans. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Toronto Blue Jays Celebration Sparks Unexpected Controversy The Blue Jays have developed a familiar tradition of dousing players with water after victories at Rogers Centre. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 With help from the nearby Southwest Harbor Fire Department, the crew of the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department sprang into action, shutting down the road and dousing the Tesla using an arsenal of firehoses. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026 Fire crews and citizens are now dousing smoking embers — a job that could take weeks. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 There’s no evidence that soaking food or dousing it with vinegar or commercial vegetable washes is enough to get rid of them. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2026 While the fastest way to cool them is by dousing with water, this can make quite a mess on your patio. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 This gentle shade of light pink is ideal for those who love the colors of dopamine decor, but are mindful of dousing their walls in highly pigmented hues that can make the area feel small and crowded. — The Spruce, 3 July 2026 Fire officials have also emphasized the importance of having hoses on hand, and dousing fireworks in a bucket of water after they’ve been used, even overnight, to prevent accidental reignition. — Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dousing
  1. removing
  2. extinguishing
  3. wetting
  4. dipping
  5. drowning
  6. immersing
  7. washing
  8. flooding
Verb
  • That work has included disposing of most of the furniture that was in the building and removing old ceiling tiles as part of abatement efforts, Tomlinson said.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The practice of removing shark fins is banned across the region.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of removing
Verb
  • Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk fire had stayed in its footprint and firefighters were extinguishing hotspots while working to keep the fire from jumping a highway and reaching areas filled with homes and businesses.
    — Haven Daly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk Fire had stayed in its footprint and firefighters were extinguishing hotspots while working to keep the fire from jumping a main highway and reaching areas filled with homes and businesses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of extinguishing
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 wetting
Verb
  • 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
  • Treasury yields have also weighed on stocks, with the 30-year bond yield climbing to a 19-year high last week before dipping back down.
    — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dipping
Verb
  • Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu said Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Oliver has been away from Buffalo's facility for periods this summer in the aftermath of his son, also named Ed, drowning in June at a residential pool in Houston.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of drowning
Verb
  • Flight attendant and travel industry veteran of 17 years Desiree Miller recommends finding a way to redirect your attention by blocking out unwanted sounds and immersing yourself in your favorite music or podcast.
    — Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For a famous California music festival, Tons’ team installed the Antarctic Dome, a space where festivalgoers could get away from the heat while immersing themselves in a display of stunning visual art.
    — K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of immersing
Verb
  • Guidance from the American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasizes a wearer washing their hands thoroughly with fragrance-free soap and water before touching the eye area to insert lenses.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • An employee was washing and rinsing mixing bowls in the front hand wash sink.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of washing
Verb
  • The main threat from the storm is flooding rain, with up to 9 inches possible in some areas.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Hurricane Milton, the second of which, tore all the Teflon panels off the Trop’s roof flooding the inside of the facility.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of flooding

Browse Nearby Words

douses
dousing
dove
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Cite this Entry

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

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