dusting

verb

Definition of dustingnext
present participle of dust
as in whipping
to defeat by a large margin the inexperienced sprinter somehow dusted the field of veterans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 dusting Evening jackets were everywhere on the fall runways—floor-dusting velvet opera coats, sharp tuxedos, and metallic brocade—while the key occasion dress emerged as a flapper-style drop waist. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 How To Deep Clean Stained Wood Baseboards For stained wood baseboards, Matthews advises dusting using a dry microfiber cloth and Murphy’s Oil or a wood cleaning oil (remove excessive dirt and crumbs with a vacuum cleaner first). — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026 Despite Han Solo's protestations to the contrary, travelling faster than light on screen is usually just as straightforward as dusting crops. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2026 To clean lampshades, Cruz recommends dusting with a lint roller or using soft-brush vacuum attachments on your vacuum. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026 Frequent cleaning by wet-dusting and wet-mopping hard surfaces such as floors and tables with plain water or gentle cleaners can keep indoor air cleaner. — Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026 Pae recommends dusting it onto the high points of the face with a small fan brush for a glass-skin effect. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 July 2026 The key to crispy, golden coconut shrimp is lightly dusting them in cornstarch. — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026 The small airport serves around 30 aircraft, all privately owned, including crop dusting companies and sky dive operators, Jacobs said. — Kristin M. Hall, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dusting
  1. whipping
  2. burying
  3. trimming
  4. overcoming
  5. flattening
  6. bombing
  7. throwing
  8. smothering
Verb
  • In September 2022, Brandon Sanchez, a member of the show cast, documented a riding lesson in an email to management and HR, describing Garcia berating riders and whipping a Friesian horse for an extended period.
    — Alessandra Schade, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • By far, the easiest way to decongest my pores is whipping out one of the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads and giving my T-zone a very proper run-through.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • Cedric Von Ferdinand, 34, is accused of killing Nadine Jett and burying her remains in her Oak Creek Road property, San Diego County Dist.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Merced County Code does not explicitly state any countywide ordinance that prohibits burying a domestic pet on private property.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of burying
Verb
  • The Legislature has been trimming home building regulations and should continue.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • During the winter holidays, millions of people are traveling, many of whom are expected at the Thanksgiving table or tree-trimming party.
    — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of trimming
Verb
  • The Dolphins had plenty more opportunities after Gordon’s penalty to right the ship, overcoming the challenges that the team’s second-half belly-flop presented.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Knicks got into the win column for the first time this season by overcoming a 13-point deficit in Tuesday’s home victory against the Detroit Pistons.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcoming
Verb
  • But ice, in addition to flattening the soda, will invite you to take longer, let it get diluted, and deflate the texture.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Lighting director Frédéric Dorieux has said that the team aims for light that is soft, even, and full without flattening the face.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of flattening
Verb
  • Russia has been bombing Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, forcing Ukraine to rely increasingly on river ports on the Danube and shipping routes close to the coasts of NATO members Bulgaria and Romania.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The United States began bombing Iran on February 28 with the goal of destroying the country’s nuclear program, its missile program, and even its government, only to fail spectacularly at each objective.
    — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bombing
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo was everywhere, throwing a down a poster dunk over Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, hitting pull-up threes and assisting on a bunch of the Heat’s three-pointers.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In May 2012, a shark struck a fishing kayak near Leffingwell Landing, throwing fisherman Joey Nocchi into the water and damaging his vessel.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of throwing
Verb
  • LeBron couldn’t even wait a week before smothering the locker room with his dissatisfaction.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Scottie’s punishing, smothering treatment of Judy, who bears much more than a passing resemblance to Madeleine, borders on truly terrifying to many women watching the film.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of smothering

Browse Nearby Words

dustiness
dusting
dusts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dusting. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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