as in dripping
to flow forth slowly through small openings
water percolating through the coffee filter
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Recent Examples of percolating
Sources said representatives from the BBC, BAFTA, and Penny Lane in the OB truck were unaware of the N-word slur until the story started percolating in media reports and on social media.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
On the eve of the opening ceremonies of the Milano Cortina Olympics, one of those irresistibly viral stories started percolating around the internet.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Andrea Swensson’s research on the Mines provides a picture of the percolating Black music scene in the mid-to-late 1960s, the years Prince was coming of age.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Beyond rumors of which celebrity might be using it, however, there’s a question percolating about whether the GLP-1 medications might have a bonus application.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
After nine months of percolating anxiety about the future of its most prominent manufacturing sector—apparel and textiles—Bangladesh has reached a trade agreement with the United States.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Although Canty’s approach has been percolating for some time (the works at Hopper date from as early as 2013), this is her first show in Dallas, as well as her first gallery show outside Nacogdoches.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Research has long shown that a constantly percolating stress response strains practically every body part, particularly your heart, which pumps harder and faster to ready you for action.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026
Councilor Ed Flynn then addressed the tension percolating between councilors.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
On the eve of the opening ceremonies of the Milano Cortina Olympics, one of those irresistibly viral stories started percolating around the internet.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Andrea Swensson’s research on the Mines provides a picture of the percolating Black music scene in the mid-to-late 1960s, the years Prince was coming of age.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Beyond rumors of which celebrity might be using it, however, there’s a question percolating about whether the GLP-1 medications might have a bonus application.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
After nine months of percolating anxiety about the future of its most prominent manufacturing sector—apparel and textiles—Bangladesh has reached a trade agreement with the United States.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Although Canty’s approach has been percolating for some time (the works at Hopper date from as early as 2013), this is her first show in Dallas, as well as her first gallery show outside Nacogdoches.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Research has long shown that a constantly percolating stress response strains practically every body part, particularly your heart, which pumps harder and faster to ready you for action.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026
Councilor Ed Flynn then addressed the tension percolating between councilors.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for percolating
Verb
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Davies translated that into all sorts of wet surfaces, with water dripping down the rocks of Wuthering Heights and the rock gradually pushing in over the course of the movie.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Antnation Boho Smocked Top Set This $37 boho set is a one-and-done spring travel outfit that’s dripping in carefree, vacation-ready style.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Capital is still flowing, and large asset managers continue to raise funds .—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Eventually, the blood stops flowing entirely, which can result in tissue death and nerve damage—that’s compartment syndrome.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead of skittering off, the hot droplets start sticking and seeping into the surface texture, and leave wet patches behind.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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Younger was shocked to find water seeping inside, forcing her to close shop for the next two days.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pain worsened at night and her daughter’s ear eventually began oozing pus, Oksana said.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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Commuter footwear As more and more of us head back to the office for the majority of the week, fashion is responding with work-appropriate footwear oozing with personality.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Top 5 Can’t Miss Open since the '50s, Half Moon is one of the most iconic resorts in the Caribbean, exuding a refined elegance that stands the test of time.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
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Meghan Markle made a chic red carpet appearance on February 7, exuding Old Hollywood glamour in a solo appearance at the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in Los Angeles.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Percolating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/percolating. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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