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 Copper can leach into water over time, especially when acidic ingredients like lemon or lime are added, potentially increasing the risk of excessive copper intake. — Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 15 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 Unlike other hard metals, tungsten is largely nontoxic, but the byproducts from mining it—called tailings—contain other harmful metals including arsenic, copper, zinc and lead and can leach into the environment. — Ari Sen, Scientific American, 13 June 2026 Aqua then added a phosphate mix, allegedly removing a protective layer in the plumbing that allowed lead to leach into homes, schools and businesses. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 8 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
  • Georgia is the most recent state to endorse the concept that’s been percolating across the country in recent years.
    — Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Riley’s frustration with player availability seems to have been percolating for several years.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of percolate
Verb
  • Pack a tube of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in your first aid kit instead of antibiotic ointment and remember to flush all scrapes and cuts with copious amounts of clean water before covering them with the jelly.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Willis scrambled for a touchdown on fourth-and-3 after being flushed out the pocket by Zeek Biggers….
    — Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of flush
Verb
  • The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The set list spans her 14-year career, with even the most pop-forward selections filtered through thunderous percussion and earsplitting guitars.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • Similar to purging in home organizing, Keen says to look for images that spark joy, like Marie Kondo-style decluttering.
    — Staff Author, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Black and female military officers have been purged or denied promotion.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of purge
Verb
  • The technique already plays a major role in biotechnology, where manufacturers use it to purify complex compounds and biologic medicines.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Puerto Rico’s governor had declared a state of emergency in late July because of the persistent dry conditions and activated the National Guard to transport, distribute, and purify water.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of purify
Verb
  • The same is true of thoughtful case studies, difficult decisions explained transparently, lessons learned from failures, long-term client relationships or years spent refining a particular expertise.
    — Matteo Pittaluga, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • According to the Lagerfeld company, the voice is synthetically generated specifically for the character, but based on a two-hour recording by a voice-over artist that was later refined by machines and humans.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of refine
Verb
  • It’s also packed with a slew of cleansing agents that are known for effectively sloughing away gunk while being gentle enough not to damage the skin barrier.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • A lot happened while Rohan and I were on vacation, but the one thing still on my mind — freshly cleansed by Hudson Valley air — is Kevin Warsh’s speech in Jackson Hole.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of cleanse
Verb
  • Hand soap is meant for clearing surface dirt, cleaning expert Andy Wray says.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Whole cobs of corn are cleaned of their silk, tucked back into their husks, and placed on the grill to char.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All