as in sparse
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in dripping
to fall or let fall in or as if in drops
trickled a little honey into her tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
the brook trickled along the glade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 trickling
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
The transformation of the CEO role is trickling down to the workforce, necessitating a reimagining of career paths.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
One of the latest fashion trends trickling into the home world is quiet luxury.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
More than anything, experts say, alarmist language from high-profile officials is trickling down to the public, leading more people to question whether any form of fluoride — in drinking water or in other treatments — is a good idea.
—Anna Clark, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Iran has a grim history of crushing dissent, but the latest crackdown dwarfs anything seen during the repressive Islamic theocracy’s 47 years in power, evidence trickling out of Iran suggests.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Without large reservoirs like Lakes Powell and Mead to float them through dry years, the Upper Basin states’ annual water supply is limited by the amount of water trickling into the river system.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The Star viewed photos and videos showing major damage and leaking water issues going back years and, including one video from 2022 that showed water dripping and trickling through a light fixture hanging from the ceiling.
—Chris Higgins
updated January 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
Health care, housing, and education would be built to be affordable, driven by real results from the bottom up--not by party interests trickling down.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
So much so that the brand is trickling the approach to its product.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
The transformation of the CEO role is trickling down to the workforce, necessitating a reimagining of career paths.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
One of the latest fashion trends trickling into the home world is quiet luxury.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
More than anything, experts say, alarmist language from high-profile officials is trickling down to the public, leading more people to question whether any form of fluoride — in drinking water or in other treatments — is a good idea.
—Anna Clark, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Iran has a grim history of crushing dissent, but the latest crackdown dwarfs anything seen during the repressive Islamic theocracy’s 47 years in power, evidence trickling out of Iran suggests.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Without large reservoirs like Lakes Powell and Mead to float them through dry years, the Upper Basin states’ annual water supply is limited by the amount of water trickling into the river system.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The Star viewed photos and videos showing major damage and leaking water issues going back years and, including one video from 2022 that showed water dripping and trickling through a light fixture hanging from the ceiling.
—Chris Higgins
updated January 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
Health care, housing, and education would be built to be affordable, driven by real results from the bottom up--not by party interests trickling down.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trickling
Adjective
-
The Flyers never made Sorokin work with tough shots on goal and were just flat in front of a sparse crowd largely affected by a massive winter storm.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Its acoustic arrangements are sparse and her lyrics fragmentary, but the mood is warm and inviting.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The restaurant closed for the day after sustaining interior damage, including inches of standing water on the floor and leaks dripping from the ceiling in several areas.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Keep your faucets dripping throughout the weekend into Tuesday to keep your pipes from freezing.—
Star-Telegram staff,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Currently, sewage and industrial waste drops from culvert pipes onto rocks below, creating splashing that releases airborne pollutants.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As for tools, Byatt employs a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, some plastic wrap to control splashing once the buttermilk separates from the fat solids, and a bowl of ice water to help rinse out the last remaining buttermilk.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The White House offered scant details about the deal, which Trump announced the day after the stock market saw one of its worst days in months in response to his tariff threat.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Goetz understood this disorder not as the product of scant civic resources or state retreat but rather as the result of liberal misrule—do-gooder bureaucrats, failed social programs, and a city that had coddled the undeserving and the criminal.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The upstream piranhas attacked her, and her blood flowing downstream attracted the rest of the piranhas, leaving the creek clear for the herd to cross.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Florio said that the key is to keep gas flowing into the furnace.—
John Shumway,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His first job, at age 11, was washing milk trucks on Sundays for his father at $3 a pop.—
Phil Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The new regulations also require things like hand-washing stations, proper refrigeration and prohibit using generators or propane tanks.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In a recent lab demonstration done by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the compact humanoid moved with surprising fluidity—dribbling, passing, and sinking shots after practising thousands of simulated drills.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Full Serpent is intended to offer more of Green’s adventures in a future landscape where the past is always poking through the dust, bubbling over with color and life.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Broil until cheese is melted, browned, and bubbling, 3–6 minutes, depending on your oven (watch carefully).—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trickling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trickling. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
