as in glowing
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
she blushed when she realized she had walked into the boys' bathroom by mistake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in pink
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in embarrassed
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 blushing
Bill Newcott, National Geographic, 13 Dec. 2019
But when a thorny, unsolved problem arose a boss invariably stood up and pointed to the blushing youngster.
—Brandon R. Brown, Smithsonian, 12 July 2019
There could be hundreds of such blushing encounters before the chameleons of two different colors are familiar enough to mate.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 July 2017
And on her wedding day, Paltrow looked every bit the blushing bride.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2018
And then his blushing bride-to-be, fellow host Mika Brzezinski, vigorously defends him on Twitter.
—Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018
Inspired by 2003's Kill Bill, the Western-themed music video opens in a church, with Cardi starring as a blushing bride, with glowy skin and a head full of platinum blond strands blowing in the wind.
—Helena Yeung, Teen Vogue, 22 May 2018
Much like the blushing bride, the six young bridesmaids walked down the aisle in dresses designed by Givenchy‘s Clare Waight Keller, according to a palace statement.
—Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 19 May 2018
With soft blushing cheeks and a lip color that practically matches, Kate Bosworth looks like a picture-perfect celestial maiden.
—Kathleen Hou, The Cut, 7 May 2018
Verb
The saxophones and horns of Miller’s Army Air Force Band waft through the house, enveloping the medals on the wall and the photos of a young soldier and his blushing bride.
—Bill Newcott, National Geographic, 13 Dec. 2019
But when a thorny, unsolved problem arose a boss invariably stood up and pointed to the blushing youngster.
—Brandon R. Brown, Smithsonian, 12 July 2019
There could be hundreds of such blushing encounters before the chameleons of two different colors are familiar enough to mate.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 July 2017
And on her wedding day, Paltrow looked every bit the blushing bride.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2018
And then his blushing bride-to-be, fellow host Mika Brzezinski, vigorously defends him on Twitter.
—Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018
Inspired by 2003's Kill Bill, the Western-themed music video opens in a church, with Cardi starring as a blushing bride, with glowy skin and a head full of platinum blond strands blowing in the wind.
—Helena Yeung, Teen Vogue, 22 May 2018
Much like the blushing bride, the six young bridesmaids walked down the aisle in dresses designed by Givenchy‘s Clare Waight Keller, according to a palace statement.
—Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 19 May 2018
With soft blushing cheeks and a lip color that practically matches, Kate Bosworth looks like a picture-perfect celestial maiden.
—Kathleen Hou, The Cut, 7 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blushing
Verb
-
Over 12,000 glowing Amazon ratings back up the hype.—
Becca Blond,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The costumes will take on an enchanting, glowing look during the performance.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Published June 13, 1984 Candidate No. 4 wore a hot pink bathing suit and matching lipstick.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The brand’s original aluminum variant returns alongside a new hot pink version.—
Austa Somvichian-Clausen,
Robb Report,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Democratic state legislators should be embarrassed too.—
Chris Powell,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
-
His grandmother felt embarrassed when guests noticed its absence, but to them, the house was still their castle.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Kendall Jenner’s glossy, pinkish nude lip would be a perfect choice all on its own, but the coordinated shadow—applied to the lid and edged beneath the lower lash line—and cheeks serve ultimate romance.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Salmon patch: These pinkish or red-colored patches typically grow on the face or back of the neck.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
After a sheepish apology to the gallery, Wagner acknowledged the true difficulty of the shot.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The next person was passing through the gate, approaching the group with a sheepish smile.—
Clare Sestanovich,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature (104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), change in mental state or behavior, change in sweating pattern and flushed skin, according to the above source.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Related article Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds Increasing blood flow to the face may also make the skin appear more flushed and hydrated as well, Reszko said, but this effect is usually temporary.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Rows of blowsy moss-green cabbages, their thick veins silvered with spider webs, the edges of their tougher outer leaves nibbled by slugs and snails.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Aug. 2025
-
In the final scene, the one female regular at the Royal, a blowsy barfly well played by Barbara Lowing, is moving toward the bar as Hanna and Liv move decisively in the other direction.—
Sheri Linden,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2023
Adjective
-
In her deep mourning dress (neat as a Quaker’s), with her beautiful hair, smooth and brown, her fine eyes, and her sensible face indicating a habit of self-control.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The nail color, which Gomez wore to the wedding alongside a red halter gown and matching bright red lip, is a gorgeous, earthy blend of mauve, beige, and brown tones.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blushing. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share