dousing 1 of 2

present participle of douse

dousing

2 of 2

verb (2)

variants also dowsing
present participle of douse

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 dousing
Verb
Made by stuffing braised pork onto crusty bread and dousing the whole thing in a tomatobased sauce, tortas ahogadas are impossible to miss and impossible to eat politely. Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026 The action has a satisfying crunch, thanks in part due to Wingard’s delight in dousing his actors in buckets of fake blood. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026 Black-and-white news footage shows volunteer firefighters swatting flames with tree branches and dousing flare-ups with flower-pot watering cans. Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Toronto Blue Jays Celebration Sparks Unexpected Controversy The Blue Jays have developed a familiar tradition of dousing players with water after victories at Rogers Centre. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 With help from the nearby Southwest Harbor Fire Department, the crew of the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department sprang into action, shutting down the road and dousing the Tesla using an arsenal of firehoses. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026 Fire crews and citizens are now dousing smoking embers — a job that could take weeks. ABC News, 31 July 2026 There’s no evidence that soaking food or dousing it with vinegar or commercial vegetable washes is enough to get rid of them. Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2026 While the fastest way to cool them is by dousing with water, this can make quite a mess on your patio. Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dousing
Verb
  • The purpose of the system is therefore to create coherence without removing the judgment required to communicate with sensitivity.
    Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • From removing stubborn stains to softening scratchy towels, vinegar consistently tackles the problems that detergents and fabric softeners sometimes leave behind.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk fire had stayed in its footprint and firefighters were extinguishing hotspots while working to keep the fire from jumping a highway and reaching areas filled with homes and businesses.
    Haven Daly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk Fire had stayed in its footprint and firefighters were extinguishing hotspots while working to keep the fire from jumping a main highway and reaching areas filled with homes and businesses.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • All four celebs started dipping their toes into fall fashion early this year, reaching for fisherman, funnel-neck, and crewneck sweaters while traveling, sipping coffee, and cooking with Ina Garten.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Customers can also choose from three other dipping sauces – honey mustard, buffalo and sweet & sour – all of which were improved, too, the company said.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine.
    Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Perry died in 2023 after injecting himself with ketamine and drowning in his hot tub.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Flight attendant and travel industry veteran of 17 years Desiree Miller recommends finding a way to redirect your attention by blocking out unwanted sounds and immersing yourself in your favorite music or podcast.
    Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For a famous California music festival, Tons’ team installed the Antarctic Dome, a space where festivalgoers could get away from the heat while immersing themselves in a display of stunning visual art.
    K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Guidance from the American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasizes a wearer washing their hands thoroughly with fragrance-free soap and water before touching the eye area to insert lenses.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • An employee was washing and rinsing mixing bowls in the front hand wash sink.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The main threat from the storm is flooding rain, with up to 9 inches possible in some areas.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Hurricane Milton, the second of which, tore all the Teflon panels off the Trop’s roof flooding the inside of the facility.
    Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dousing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster