as in dripping
to flow forth slowly through small openings
water percolating through the coffee filter
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Recent Examples of percolating
The parks began with an idea that had been percolating for Disney since the 1930s to create an amusement park near Disney studios.
—
Mark Lane, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Romance with a boss might be percolating.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Another theme percolating through the budget plan is the need to protect our wealthiest taxpayers from, well, taxes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Bringing the solar array from an idea percolating around Cristo Rey to reality took time.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Democrat-Gazette online A guest piece in the opinion section Sunday railed disingenuously against a percolating public initiative for a state constitutional amendment.
—John Brummett, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Next, in early 2022, inflation was percolating.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Heightened discussions in Asia Similar discussions among current and former government officials have been percolating across Asia.
—Amy McAuliffe, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The derogatory language has been percolating among Republican officials for months, often prominent when criticizing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Mark Lane, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Romance with a boss might be percolating.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Another theme percolating through the budget plan is the need to protect our wealthiest taxpayers from, well, taxes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Bringing the solar array from an idea percolating around Cristo Rey to reality took time.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Democrat-Gazette online A guest piece in the opinion section Sunday railed disingenuously against a percolating public initiative for a state constitutional amendment.
—John Brummett, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Next, in early 2022, inflation was percolating.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Heightened discussions in Asia Similar discussions among current and former government officials have been percolating across Asia.
—Amy McAuliffe, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The derogatory language has been percolating among Republican officials for months, often prominent when criticizing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for percolating
Verb
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That, of course, and the occasional ghostly presences, unsettling cries, and blood dripping from the ceiling.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Blown out, extravagant, dripping with ferocious malaise and desperation, but precisely arranged for the maximum possible emotional effect.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Zino leader is a dinosaur with long, flowing white hair.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
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The mesh upper will keep air flowing through your feet throughout the day, and the slip-resistant rubber outsole will be particularly helpful on slick cobblestone streets.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The problem was that existing 3D cameras were far too cumbersome to take into the cave, which is carefully protected to keep carbon dioxide from seeping in.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The design is a puddle of oil seeping high above and across the boulevard that conflicts with its surroundings.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rocks, recently depressurized after their journey from the seafloor, were oozing petroleum.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Potterheads across the globe will instantly recognize Harry’s not-so-homely house on Privet Drive, his cramped excuse of a bedroom and the endless disdain oozing from the young wizard’s unloving aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So was exuding pride, even behind a humble hot dog stand, which was how his great-uncle Pat got his start.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
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The Filipino girl group, comprising Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena, became the first band from the Philippines to perform at the music festival — and the Pinoy pride shone back at them, with a packed crowd whose exuberance rivaled the energy exuding from BINI onstage.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Percolating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/percolating. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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