leach

verb

Definition of leachnext
1
as in to percolate

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in to flush

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 leach There are environmental concerns that traditional burials monopolize too much land and employ toxins that can leach into the soil and groundwater. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 Chouinard says overwatering can invite disease and fungus, lead to shallow roots, cause soil erosion, and leach important nutrients below the root zone, where plants cannot reach them. — The Spruce, 20 July 2026 Many people use weedkiller products in their yards, which can leach into adjacent garden beds and plants living there. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2026 Strict toxicity testing is also mandatory to ensure heavy metals do not leach out of the residential walls of the future. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for leach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leach
  1. percolate
  2. flush
  3. filter
  4. purge
  5. purify
  6. refine
  7. cleanse
  8. clean
Verb
  • The Pittsburgh native turned the page on his high school sweetheart Nomi Leasure and entered new dating territory, a relationship with Ariana Grande, which started to percolate in early 2016.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Talk about layoffs has percolated internally since a September 18 memo by Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of percolate
Verb
  • This is quite compact and has a walk-in shower, a vanity sink, and a flushing toilet.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Her cheeks are flushed with a vivid, shimmering, nearly hot-pink blush that eases up a bit over the bridge of her nose.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of flush
Verb
  • Those searches risk filtering out the candidates most likely to bring a perspective your bank lacks.
    — Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Director Dustin Rikert worked efficiently, filming several takes of attendees filtering into the auction.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • Wikipedia has failed to purge antisemitic and anti-Israel propaganda pushed by bad-actor editors, the Anti-Defamation League warns.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of bingeing followed by purging.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of purge
Verb
  • Large ovens are then used to dry the electrodes, followed by additional processes to recover and purify the solvents.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Below, take a peek at the best still-available Dyson Prime Day deals, ranging from cordless stick vacuums to purifying tower fans.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of purify
Verb
  • The team revised Rotta’s face and coloring to bring him closer to Jabba while refining his muscular physique.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • If desired, Meyer lemons can also be pruned in late winter to early spring to refine their shrubby look into a more tree-like appearance.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of refine
Verb
  • In fact, conditioner helps restore your hair after cleansing.
    — Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Bonding Shampoo gently cleanses hair and scalp, while the Hair Bonding Treatment delivers a more intensive dose of the brand’s Peptide-132 complex to help strengthen damaged strands and minimize breakage and split ends.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cleanse
Verb
  • Combs paid inmates to clean and cook special meals for him, including curry chicken, pizza and empanadas, and that the hip-hop artist also received Chinese-style massages, four sources told NBC News.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • My mom enrolled as a junior at Hollywood High School and took care of the house—cleaning, reheating frozen chicken pot pies, and making sure everyone did their homework.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clean

Browse Nearby Words

lea
leach
leached
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leach. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All