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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Under the agreement, Riverview will stop irrigating 2,000 acres of crops in phases within 12 years.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The country is facing a massive food shortage because the government is spraying a corporate sports drink instead of water to irrigate the nation’s farms.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Do not irrigate if there is snow cover over the lawn.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025
The Sonoran Institute planted and irrigated them in one of a series of stepping stones that birds may use on their way north from the ciénega and wintering grounds throughout Latin America.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irrigate
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The country is facing a massive food shortage because the government is spraying a corporate sports drink instead of water to irrigate the nation’s farms.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Do not irrigate if there is snow cover over the lawn.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025
The Sonoran Institute planted and irrigated them in one of a series of stepping stones that birds may use on their way north from the ciénega and wintering grounds throughout Latin America.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irrigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irrigate
Verb
-
Once the stain has faded, brush off the salt and rinse it out.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Drain the sink and refill it with cool water to rinse the jeans.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a contemplative trailer announcing the news, the artist is seen washing his truck and eating solo at a restaurant.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Few ripples washed through Wall Street Wednesday after the Federal Reserve decided to hold its main interest rate steady, just like investors expected.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Gas water heaters need to be regularly flushed to remove sediment build-up from inside the tank, which can settle and slowly start to clog the base of the tank.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Canned Beans Beans are heart-healthy legumes rich in soluble fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps to flush it out of the body.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irrigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irrigate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
