variants
also dowse
1
as in to extinguish
to cause to cease burning
douse the campfire before leaving in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drown
to make wet
the heavy rains thoroughly doused the tourists strolling the town streets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to remove
to rid oneself of (a garment)
in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
British
as in blow
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of douse
Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
Breakfast is also served in Patatino with mainstays like Eggs Royal offset by more unusual serves that include an addictive plate of flatbread with honey, ricotta, and grapes, and a feather-light stack of orange-scented pancakes liberally doused in a shiny chocolate sauce.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
The commission’s members also called for prioritizing additional water storage capacity in neighborhoods, and systems with external sprinklers to douse homes, parks and schools.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for douse
Verb
This creates an intricate network of microscopic cracks that, in addition to visible furrows, help retain the water elephants douse themselves in to stay cool.
—Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
Breakfast is also served in Patatino with mainstays like Eggs Royal offset by more unusual serves that include an addictive plate of flatbread with honey, ricotta, and grapes, and a feather-light stack of orange-scented pancakes liberally doused in a shiny chocolate sauce.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
And his sense of humor douses jest over images that probably shouldn’t be funny.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
The commission’s members also called for prioritizing additional water storage capacity in neighborhoods, and systems with external sprinklers to douse homes, parks and schools.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for douse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for douse
Noun
-
And the loss of Amarion Dickerson, who would’ve been a key rotation piece, ended up being a major blow for a team that was counting on everyone at the top of the rotation to deliver.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
His win in Istanbul in 2019 represented a crushing blow to Erdogan, whose own political ascent began as the city’s mayor.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leaving Polis off the guest list of a recent governors’ dinner at the White House was the latest slap in the face of many that include rescinded federal grants, a vetoed water bill, rejected disaster fund requests, and the loss of two federal agencies.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The Islanders pulled within 2-1 late in the first when Schaefer's slap shot deflected several times and bounced over Bobrovsky.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the knock was worth it for the offensive foul that helped maintain the Lakers’ 14-0 run that quickly erased the Pelicans’ eight-point lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Flights must reroute, often adding time, burning more fuel and creating knock-on complications for crews and aircraft — and higher costs.—
Francesca Street,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer and Gunnar Henderson had four hits and two RBIs as the United States rolled to a 9-1 victory over Britain on Saturday night at the World Baseball Classic.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
According to preliminary data, air defense systems downed 19 missiles and 453 drones with hits from 9 missiles and 26 strike drones recorded at 22 locations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With the swipe of a finger, a video plays.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lashscape Lengthening, Lifting Mascara delivers 12 hours of smudge-resistant lift, length and curl in a single swipe.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a sudden, loud thump, and Bernie Watermolen brought us awake with a yell that was enough to raise the dead.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Pitchers and catchers report This week, Albernaz gets a glimpse of his pitching staff and catchers, before the thump of an offensive lineup joins the workouts.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This lick mat is designed to help reduce your pup's anxiety and boredom in the crate.—
Jessica Moore,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Every fashion photographer, model, chat-show host, and film director ends up here, on a perfect lick of beach, a short hop from the main drag of frisky boho Tulum.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Darker mornings and more evening light knock your body clock out of whack — which means daylight saving time can usher in sleep trouble for weeks or longer.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Darker mornings and more evening light knock your body clock out of whack — which means daylight saving time can usher in sleep trouble for weeks or longer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Douse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/douse. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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