1
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
use this cleaner to flush the drain in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in blushing
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
he flushed deeply upon hearing the compliment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flushing
That water still cannot be used for any purpose beyond toilet flushing, city officials said.
—
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Water line flushing was completed, and water samples citywide continue to be analyzed, officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
The bathroom is accessed from the kitchen via a pocket door and contains a shower (with a curtain or optional glass enclosure), a sink, and a choice of flushing, composting, or incinerating toilet, plus a washer/dryer.
—Adam Williams
april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026
The flow of back-flushing sea water is manually controlled with a ball valve.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Gotland is one of the driest places in Sweden, so the hotel also collects all its rainwater to irrigate its crops, fill the natural swimming pool and be used for flushing toilets and showers, using a complex water recycling system.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The airbender has not been present in flushing thus far.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
An English manor with ties to not one but two queens—and a courtier best remembered for inventing the flushing toilet—lords over the countryside just outside Bath.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026
Flight attendants emphasize closing the toilet lid before flushing to help limit the spread of germs in tight airplane lavatories.
—Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Water line flushing was completed, and water samples citywide continue to be analyzed, officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
The bathroom is accessed from the kitchen via a pocket door and contains a shower (with a curtain or optional glass enclosure), a sink, and a choice of flushing, composting, or incinerating toilet, plus a washer/dryer.
—Adam Williams
april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026
The flow of back-flushing sea water is manually controlled with a ball valve.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Gotland is one of the driest places in Sweden, so the hotel also collects all its rainwater to irrigate its crops, fill the natural swimming pool and be used for flushing toilets and showers, using a complex water recycling system.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The airbender has not been present in flushing thus far.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
An English manor with ties to not one but two queens—and a courtier best remembered for inventing the flushing toilet—lords over the countryside just outside Bath.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026
Flight attendants emphasize closing the toilet lid before flushing to help limit the spread of germs in tight airplane lavatories.
—Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flushing
Verb
-
Another method is soaking a sponge in a bleach solution for a few minutes and then rinsing thoroughly.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Running the fan a few extra minutes, spreading towels out properly, rinsing the sink and squeegeeing the shower are not glamorous tasks.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New Jersey forest cherries, bright yellow, blushing red.—
John McPhee,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
These blushing spring radishes add a lovely color and flavor to little gem lettuces.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An employee touched raw shrimp, then touched an apron cloth before washing their hands in the handwashing sink.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
-
Balogun had found a lump on the underside of her jaw while washing her face four months previously, and now her career and identity were about to be upended.—
George Ramsay,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Small but mighty, this two-pack of glowing tiki torches—which also moonlights as an ambient light source—delivers high-quality surround sound.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
-
The house is dizzyingly animate, like a video game where every object is a glowing grail.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flushing. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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