as in to rinse
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse if you get the chemical in your eye, irrigate the eye thoroughly with water

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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 irrigate Whatever irrigates the imagination and allows the soul to exhale. James Parker, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 Beyond the broad concrete steps that traverse the water-friendly (and automatically irrigated) xeriscaped front yard and through the lime-green door that animates the charcoal exterior cladding hides a small courtyard open to the sky, a classic feature in an Eichler home. Mark David, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025 If soils have been dry or inadequately irrigated, consider harvesting nearly ripe fruit before rainstorm events to avoid cracking. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025 As images reach us in fragments, sound weaves a continuity from off-screen to on-screen, carrying the emotion through the film and irrigating the streams of images, like water flowing. Cátia Rodrigues, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irrigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irrigate
Verb
  • Scrub off any food bits and oil with a touch of soap, then rinse thoroughly and immediately move on to drying.
    Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Soak the bowls for 10 minutes, then remove them and rinse well.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The lid and straw are dishwasher safe, while the brand recommends hand washing the cup to maintain the insulation.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The female nurse washed her neck.
    Laura Vazquez, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The river will still become polluted after heavy rainfalls due to runoff from the streets and flushing of city sewage systems.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Remove any debris or clogs from the p-trap with your fingers before flushing the system with hot water, vinegar, and baking soda.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irrigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irrigate. Accessed 25 Sep. 2025.

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