as in cleaning
to use a vacuum cleaner on (something) in order to remove dirt
I vacuumed the living room.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 vacuuming
Simple habits like vacuuming more frequently and avoiding personal care products that contain phthalates can lower exposures.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Start by dust mopping or vacuuming at least twice a week to remove dust and dirt.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
This should include scrubbing the toilet, tub, and shower, wiping down the sinks and mirrors, and both vacuuming and mopping the floors.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Experts overwhelmingly recommend dusting before vacuuming.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
If the bugs do get inside, sweeping or vacuuming them up is perhaps the easiest way to dispose of the insects.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Rhincodon typus, to use their scientific name, eat their ample fill by ram filter-feeding, vacuuming up gallons of water to strain out small prey before the water exits their gills.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Start by dust mopping or vacuuming at least twice a week to remove dust and dirt.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
This should include scrubbing the toilet, tub, and shower, wiping down the sinks and mirrors, and both vacuuming and mopping the floors.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Experts overwhelmingly recommend dusting before vacuuming.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
If the bugs do get inside, sweeping or vacuuming them up is perhaps the easiest way to dispose of the insects.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Rhincodon typus, to use their scientific name, eat their ample fill by ram filter-feeding, vacuuming up gallons of water to strain out small prey before the water exits their gills.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacuuming
Verb
-
Use acetone only as a last resort, test first, then finish by cleaning with mild soapy water.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Each tank holds 40 liters, and each cleaning cycle uses roughly one liter of water per pair of shoes.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Simply open one and start brushing—no toothpaste or water required.—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
-
These include opening a sliding door, operating a toilet seat, ironing clothes, and brushing a human’s hair.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The administration would need to individually impose tariffs on each country and for each specific commodity, rather than the sweeping tariffs as were levied under the IEEPA.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pull everything out and give your pantry a thorough cleaning, scrubbing down shelves and washing bins and baskets.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
But trust us, the answer is not scrubbing harder.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The checklist for cleaning the kitchen was probably just washing dirty dishes, wiping down countertops, and mopping the floors.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain good foot hygiene by washing feet at least daily.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vacuuming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacuuming. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
