douse 1 of 3

variants also dowse
Definition of dousenext
British

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
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
Verb
  • In 2025-26, his first full season as hockey operations adviser and mentor, Chára dipped his toe into multiple buckets, including management and coaching.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The five new finds below all come in at under $5 apiece, a low-stakes way to dip your toes into fall flavors without spending much.
    Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • If coverings could not be removed, visitors would be charged for a day pass or a pass replacement.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
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
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
Verb
  • Everything from mountain biking and kayaking, hiking and horseback riding will immerse travelers among the vivid trees.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Serving in another field or capacity, pursuing a hobby or getting immersed in a new discipline or art, especially for those in creative spaces, can impart unique and valuable perspectives that inform one’s whole approach to work.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, a slap and then reverse-slap of their hands turns to a fist-on-top-of-fist bump, which then wraps up with a classic knuckle tap.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes.
    Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Douse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/douse. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster