as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument those soccer hooligans need a sound douse or two from a police officer's club
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Relevance
as in removes
to rid oneself of (a garment) in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors
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variants also dowses
1
as in extinguishes
to cause to cease burning douse the campfire before leaving in the morning
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2
as in drowns
to make wet the heavy rains thoroughly doused the tourists strolling the town streets
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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 douses
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 The formula is enriched with Japanese red camellia oil, a lightweight, fast-absorbing ingredient that douses the hair in antioxidants. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025 Outside, the rain douses the flames at the cooperage, but the situation still seems a bit explosive. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
In this recipe, orange juice also douses the bran before and after baking. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 The formula is enriched with Japanese red camellia oil, a lightweight, fast-absorbing ingredient that douses the hair in antioxidants. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025 Outside, the rain douses the flames at the cooperage, but the situation still seems a bit explosive. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for douses
Noun
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The event felt like a throwback to the glitzy, lavish Hollywood premieres that used to take over the town every weekend, but have become scarce since the film business suffered a series of blows that have led to lots of belt-tightening.— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
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The Senate’s quick passage of the 10-day patch was starkly different than the House’s rare overnight session, during which House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was dealt two consecutive blows.— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Leonard extended his 20-point streak to 49 straight games with 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting, welcoming hand slaps from teammates after hitting his second 3-pointer late in the game.— Janis Carr, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
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The Singers centers on an impromptu sing-off in a bar, whereas Two People Exchanging Saliva explores a society where kissing is punishable by death, and people pay for things by receiving slaps to the face.— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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According to Instagram, Hudson’s makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, volumized her lashes with a few swipes of a smudge-free mascara, blurred her pores using a mattifying powder, defined her pout with a long-lasting lip liner, and more.— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
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After a few swipes from the bass, the big school will break up into smaller schools trying to escape, which is where your A-rig shines.— Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.— Tyler Jett, Des Moines Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the opening minute alone, Murphy shot just wide off a turnover and Josefin Bouveng set up Madison Kaiser for a couple of whacks from the edge of the blue paint that were both stopped.— Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
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The star then grabbed a bat and took several whacks at a colorful piñata shaped like a cascaron.— René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The exterior Forged from anodized aluminum, this is Carl Friedrik's most hard-wearing cabin case yet, with new steel rivets adding extra protection against knocks and bumps to complement the robust aluminum frame.— Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
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Four Royals singled in succession — led by Collins and Kyle Isbel’s run-producing knocks.— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Eventually, Ginger's playful touches turn to rowdy smacks on Jesse's behind.— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
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Some biologists argue that more frequent smacks are a sign of rising ocean temperatures.— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Then Freeman woke up Friday morning to the news that was delivering gut punches throughout the baseball world, that Anderson had passed away Thursday at 53.— Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
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Benches cleared, and cooler heads did not prevail, though no punches were thrown.— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Douses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/douses. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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