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
Scrub with a toilet brush, then wait six minutes before flushing again.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Liberation movements were like chemotherapy, flushing our systems to reboot their chemistry at the cellular level.
—Syda Segovia Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
The storage focus continues in the bathroom, which has a walk-in shower, a sink, a flushing toilet, and quite a lot of cabinetry.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
Mold and mildew caused by infrequent flushing and poor ventilation can lead to black, green, or brown rings and stains.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Remediation steps such as flushing water lines and installing new filters are taking place at the Oakland County Courthouse in Pontiac, Michigan.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 31 Dec. 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 syndrome causes nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Liberation movements were like chemotherapy, flushing our systems to reboot their chemistry at the cellular level.
—Syda Segovia Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
The storage focus continues in the bathroom, which has a walk-in shower, a sink, a flushing toilet, and quite a lot of cabinetry.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
Mold and mildew caused by infrequent flushing and poor ventilation can lead to black, green, or brown rings and stains.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Remediation steps such as flushing water lines and installing new filters are taking place at the Oakland County Courthouse in Pontiac, Michigan.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 31 Dec. 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 syndrome causes nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flushing
Verb
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Making sure the steaks have been fully thawed and brought to room temperature is the first crucial step for most people, but others have memories of their parents or grandparents rinsing steak in the sink, or perhaps soaking it in water, before the prep work begins.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
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Shea butter helps soften and replenish skin that’s prone to flaking, while glycerin supports ongoing moisture so skin doesn’t feel tight after rinsing.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Baby pink auras add a blushing effect.—
Taylor Augustin Littlejohn,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
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Lip blushing, a semi-permanent tattoo that can enhance the color and shape of your lips, has emerged as a popular beauty treatment, and one that 24-year-old Hon was interested in.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The checklist for cleaning the kitchen was probably just washing dirty dishes, wiping down countertops, and mopping the floors.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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Maintain good foot hygiene by washing feet at least daily.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Glow-in-the-dark outsoles represent glowing engine headers, and the shoe’s color-shifting eggplant purple upper takes a page from custom car wraps.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
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On Monday, the actress uploaded a new selfie showing off her glowing complexion.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flushing. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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