douses 1 of 3

noun

plural of douse, British
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument those soccer hooligans need a sound douse or two from a police officer's club

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douses

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of douse
as in removes
to rid oneself of (a garment) in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

douses

3 of 3

verb (2)

variants also dowses
present tense third-person singular of douse
1
as in extinguishes
to cause to cease burning douse the campfire before leaving in the morning

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2
as in drowns
to make wet the heavy rains thoroughly doused the tourists strolling the town streets

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dips
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid douse the grapes in water to remove any grit

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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 douses
Verb
In this recipe, orange juice also douses the bran before and after baking. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 The formula is enriched with Japanese red camellia oil, a lightweight, fast-absorbing ingredient that douses the hair in antioxidants. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025 Outside, the rain douses the flames at the cooperage, but the situation still seems a bit explosive. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for douses
  1. blows
  2. removes
  3. extinguishes
  4. drowns
  5. dips
  6. slaps
  7. wets
  8. immerses
Noun
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • During the less than a minute-long elevator ride, the duo trading blows, according to the video.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • Critics argue that the shortcut removes the layer of oversight that protects patients from the mistakes that have shaped every prior generation of gene therapy.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The clock stops once the rider removes his hand from the rope or touches anything with his free arm.
    — Ava DiCecca, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of removes
Verb
  • Video on social media shows flames outside the building – and someone tossing something into the flames, leading to what appears to be fireworks going off – before another person extinguishes the fire.
    — Brynn Gingras, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Desmond successfully uncorks a stone plug at the island's core and extinguishes the light.
    — Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
Definition of extinguishes
Verb
  • James eventually drowns, leaving Sara and Max to continue alone.
    — Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 29 July 2026
  • Most of the peril comes with dangerous ship-wrecking moments, including one that implies the death of Moana's relative, while our heroine herself almost drowns on her first voyage from land.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Definition of drowns
Verb
  • As the light dips behind the hills and Chianti’s color palette softens, life beyond the estate starts to feel quite distant.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • That has meant that if you were invested in the broad stock market, even the worst bear markets — dips of 20% or more from recent highs — represented a chance to buy an appreciating asset on virtual sale.
    — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dips
Noun
  • Pro wrestling is often viewed as a fake form of fighting, but the flips, jumps and landings are very real — slaps and kicks landed on reddening skin echo throughout SPW’s venues.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
  • Devers petulantly left the field, avoided handshakes and butt slaps in the dugout, and retreated to the clubhouse.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of slaps
Verb
  • Unfortunately, that only wets the top quarter inch of soil—a feel-good move for gardeners but not for roots.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026
  • Another Pearl Girl wets herself when the Eyes come for Thalia.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Definition of wets
Verb
  • Billie Eilish and James Cameron team up for a movie that immerses the audience in her performances while also featuring enlightening conversations between two artistic icons about the magic behind the spectacle.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This exercise immerses you in the outdoors and encourages you to appreciate even the smallest patches of green.
    — Jancee Dunn, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of immerses

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Cite this Entry

“Douses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/douses. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of douses for Spanish Speakers

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