variants
also dowsed
as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
shook the water out of her thoroughly doused hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in removed
to rid oneself of (a garment)
in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also dowsed
1
as in extinguished
to cause to cease burning
douse the campfire before leaving in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drowned
to make wet
the heavy rains thoroughly doused the tourists strolling the town streets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 doused
Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Honeydew melon, white carrot, cucumber, and napa cabbage combine with rice noodles and shredded tofu to create a monochromatic statement—all of it doused in a punchy sesame-ginger dressing that makes the white-on-white situation anything but quiet.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2026
His eyes lit up as the early-morning rays doused each layer of rock, turning them different shades of red and gold.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
That made it 92-85 and effectively doused the Lakers’ comeback.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
New opening Gandaia Club has been making a splash on Instagram thanks to its indulgent prego (steak sandwich) served on a silver platter doused in sauce, while Faz Frio serves up traditional Portuguese dishes a stone’s throw from the hotel.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
For the most optimistic of Bruins fans, even their hopes were doused when Beck Malenstyn scored on a deflection early in the third, followed up quickly by a Tuch goal, both goals coming off turnovers.
—Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
In the fourth inning, two protesters came on the field, spread the flag on the left-center field grass and doused it with lighter fluid, attempting to set it ablaze.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Ask a local Grab a plastic cup of fresh fruit doused in Tajín and chamoy at Lake Hollywood Park on your way down.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Then there are the Riblets, expertly cut from tender pork, slow-cooked, and doused in Honey BBQ, Hot Honey Glaze, or Sweet Asian Chile sauce.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Honeydew melon, white carrot, cucumber, and napa cabbage combine with rice noodles and shredded tofu to create a monochromatic statement—all of it doused in a punchy sesame-ginger dressing that makes the white-on-white situation anything but quiet.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2026
His eyes lit up as the early-morning rays doused each layer of rock, turning them different shades of red and gold.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
That made it 92-85 and effectively doused the Lakers’ comeback.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
New opening Gandaia Club has been making a splash on Instagram thanks to its indulgent prego (steak sandwich) served on a silver platter doused in sauce, while Faz Frio serves up traditional Portuguese dishes a stone’s throw from the hotel.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
For the most optimistic of Bruins fans, even their hopes were doused when Beck Malenstyn scored on a deflection early in the third, followed up quickly by a Tuch goal, both goals coming off turnovers.
—Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
In the fourth inning, two protesters came on the field, spread the flag on the left-center field grass and doused it with lighter fluid, attempting to set it ablaze.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Ask a local Grab a plastic cup of fresh fruit doused in Tajín and chamoy at Lake Hollywood Park on your way down.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doused
Adjective
-
Adding the appropriate gothic touch to this Debra Hill production are John Lloyd’s dripping-with-mock-Victorian-splendor sets and John Morris’ delightfully tongue-in-cheek score.—
Kirk Ellis,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
Instead of haphazardly brushing it into your palm or reaching for a dripping sponge, try a handheld vacuum for a far more efficient solution.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dark Prints and Colors Porches have long defaulted to light palettes and natural finishes, but Eric Ross of Eric Ross Interiors is fielding more requests for saturated colors and bold prints—the kind of palette that usually stays indoors.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
6 May 2026
-
Excessive screen time in the evening has been linked with lower sleep quality, while diets heavy in sugars and saturated fats can also make falling asleep more difficult and the experience less restorative.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Each pre-soaked pad is infused with Korean skin care actives that support elasticity, hydration, and an even-looking complexion, alongside a moisturizing cream powered by NAD+ and multilayer hyaluronic acid for firmer, more radiant-looking skin.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The most soaked area of the region during the storm was the Central Coast, where about 3½ inches of rain fell at Scotts Creek and Ben Lomond in the Santa Cruz Mountains beginning Monday, the weather service said.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This duvet cover gives bedding setups a relaxed yet elevated look with its pre-washed, drapey design.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Since the vegetables are pre-washed, chopped, and handled more during processing, there is a higher risk of contamination.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When coming to a flooded road, turn around and head back.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 May 2026
-
When coming to a flooded road, turn around and head back.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, wet mop or steam mop the floors to remove any stains or marks.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
When TikTok virality and playlist automation saturate listeners’ attention, artistic sameness threatens to rule the day—but independent artists on their own unique paths are still with us.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
-
Rain could aid firefighting efforts and saturate dry fuels, reducing their risk of igniting in the future.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doused. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
