1
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
use this cleaner to flush the drain in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in blushing
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
he flushed deeply upon hearing the compliment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flushing
Plumbers recommend flushing a hot water heater once a year to clear out the sediment.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
The singer and reality star, 31, tied the knot with film producer Jared Safier in December — six months after making headlines for flushing an engagement ring from ex-fiancé Chris Sheng down the toilet and long after rising to fame for marrying ex-husband Doug Hutchinson as a teenager.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Prisoners tend to use more due to flushing various items and, often, intentionally plugging toilets and overflowing them, according to industry publication Correctional News.
—Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
This has a small sink, a shower, and a flushing toilet.
—New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
This syndrome causes nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
Since then, his flushing work and my shooting skills have improved.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
In addition to fresh drinking water reserves, Lindsey recommends storing buckets of water prior to the storm for flushing toilets.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
When the past does indeed come knocking on Bob’s door, flushing him out of his home with shock troops and smoke grenades, Bob is forced to violently recalibrate his relationship to the present.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
The singer and reality star, 31, tied the knot with film producer Jared Safier in December — six months after making headlines for flushing an engagement ring from ex-fiancé Chris Sheng down the toilet and long after rising to fame for marrying ex-husband Doug Hutchinson as a teenager.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Prisoners tend to use more due to flushing various items and, often, intentionally plugging toilets and overflowing them, according to industry publication Correctional News.
—Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
This has a small sink, a shower, and a flushing toilet.
—New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
This syndrome causes nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
Since then, his flushing work and my shooting skills have improved.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
In addition to fresh drinking water reserves, Lindsey recommends storing buckets of water prior to the storm for flushing toilets.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
When the past does indeed come knocking on Bob’s door, flushing him out of his home with shock troops and smoke grenades, Bob is forced to violently recalibrate his relationship to the present.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flushing
Verb
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The best way to prevent them is to always dry your sink after rinsing it.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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If their numbers are small, rinsing your daylilies with a strong blast of water from your garden hose is often sufficient to get rid of them.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And Prince William would have been forgiven for blushing when Kate pointedly replied that the poster had in fact shown the TV hunk from a famous Levi advert.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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The kid wore birthday glasses and shook his head at each shot, blushing.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But one more theatrical feat of sleight of hand has occurred, because Kyoto’s washing your hands for you.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
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The restaurant also had health hazards such as old food residue on equipment and employees not washing their hands properly with soap, city officials said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of these videos gained over 291,000 views and dozens of glowing comments claiming the software worked perfectly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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This win comes on the heels of a glowing three-star review by New York Times last month.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flushing. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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