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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in removes
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 dowses
1
as in extinguishes
to cause to cease burning
douse the campfire before leaving in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drowns
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.
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Recent Examples of douses
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
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
Noun
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.
Verb
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Since the early 1980s, Earth scientists have understood that erosion and weathering of rock slowly removes CO2 from the atmosphere, regulating Earth’s climate on geological timescales.
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For parents of younger children especially, a legal line drawn externally removes a fight that has previously had to be won solo, at home, against enormous social pressure.
Verb
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Desmond successfully uncorks a stone plug at the island's core and extinguishes the light.
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After the fish has dropped, a bucket of water from Enid Lake extinguishes the fire.
Verb
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Drenching the nest and surrounding area with water drowns workers and possibly the queen, which disrupts the colony.
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The more militants are killed, the deeper the city drowns in militant Shia iconography.
Verb
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Fairways are generous, but the terrain winds and dips – lending to the challenge.
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The decay rate will increase as the spacecraft dips into denser layers of the atmosphere until Swift finally burns up during reentry.
Noun
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Whoever loses slaps the other in the face with a tortilla, usually causing water to spray out of their mouth.
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During the parade and hand-slaps and high-fives, Ohtani wanted to be sure Yamamoto was recognized on his own.
Verb
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Another Pearl Girl wets herself when the Eyes come for Thalia.
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Spray wets leaves and in the cool hours, leaves are susceptible to deadly molds and mildew.
Verb
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Camping in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is an otherworldly experience that immerses you in thousands of years of natural history.
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An Eliza Jane School program one week in August immerses young children in trades, crafts, and homesteading skills (sold out for 2026).
Cite this Entry
“Douses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/douses. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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