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
In its statement, Synergy Marine Group said the use of the flushing pump was irrelevant to the cause of the crash, blaming it on a manufacturer's latent defect, the loose wire in the ship's electrical system.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 May 2026
However, the flushing pump was not designed to automatically restart following a blackout, and the Dali’s generators could not operate without a fuel supply, so the ship ultimately experienced a second blackout, the indictment said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Another ship operated by Synergy — the M/V Maersk Saltoro — also faced a blackout in December 2022 due to its use of a flushing pump, prosecutors say.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 12 May 2026
It’s been around for generations, and so has the idea that flushing the colon can remove toxins and residue.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 11 May 2026
The agreement mentioned adding up to 40 water hookups, up to 40 electric hookups, a pump station with a water hose, four bathrooms with flushing toilets and shower stalls, an ADA-accessible restroom trailer, an ADA-accessible shower trailer, light posts and shade structures.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Piper recommends flushing hot water and dish soap down your drains once a week to break down any grease or or soap scum that could be starting to accumulate.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The kind of contraction generated by walking moves cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain, leading Drew to hypothesize that the mechanism plays an important role in flushing out protein waste and other unnecessary material.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 May 2026
However, the flushing pump was not designed to automatically restart following a blackout, and the Dali’s generators could not operate without a fuel supply, so the ship ultimately experienced a second blackout, the indictment said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Another ship operated by Synergy — the M/V Maersk Saltoro — also faced a blackout in December 2022 due to its use of a flushing pump, prosecutors say.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 12 May 2026
It’s been around for generations, and so has the idea that flushing the colon can remove toxins and residue.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 11 May 2026
The agreement mentioned adding up to 40 water hookups, up to 40 electric hookups, a pump station with a water hose, four bathrooms with flushing toilets and shower stalls, an ADA-accessible restroom trailer, an ADA-accessible shower trailer, light posts and shade structures.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Piper recommends flushing hot water and dish soap down your drains once a week to break down any grease or or soap scum that could be starting to accumulate.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The kind of contraction generated by walking moves cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain, leading Drew to hypothesize that the mechanism plays an important role in flushing out protein waste and other unnecessary material.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flushing
Verb
-
Removing fallen leaves and rinsing away dirt prevents excess nutrients from collecting in the water.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
Start by rinsing the vinyl siding with the garden hose and attached spray nozzle.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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New Jersey forest cherries, bright yellow, blushing red.—
John McPhee,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
These blushing spring radishes add a lovely color and flavor to little gem lettuces.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An employee touched raw shrimp, then touched an apron cloth before washing their hands in the handwashing sink.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
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Balogun had found a lump on the underside of her jaw while washing her face four months previously, and now her career and identity were about to be upended.—
George Ramsay,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Brilliant knots of newborn stars, dark rivers of dust and glowing cavities carved by stellar winds combine to create a vivid portrait of galaxies in constant motion.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
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Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) also reveals the cooler dust spread across the galaxy, glowing at longer wavelengths and shown in blue.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flushing. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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