as in to rinse
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse if you get the chemical in your eye, irrigate the eye thoroughly with water

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 irrigate The latter are often irrigated during haying and grazed during much of the fire season, which reduces the vegetation fuels on the landscape. Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Los Angeles heavily relies on groundwater and winter precipitation stored in state reservoirs to irrigate crops. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 For one month, the medical team gave antibiotics, irrigated the wound, changed the man’s bandages and tried to maintain the range of motion for his remaining fingers. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025 Natural grass can be irrigated with recycled water. Cindy Russell, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irrigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irrigate
Verb
  • My indulgence is going home afterward, taking a shower to rinse off any excess hair clippings, and using our Seaweed Scalp Scrub.
    Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
  • It’s formulated with a mix of plant oils including grape seed, lavender, and sunflower seed to rinse off waterproof makeup without feeling heavy or greasy on your face.
    Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • While silk does have antimicrobial properties, pillowcases, like your face, need to be washed regularly to avoid harboring bacteria.
    Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Cocktails also get creative treatment: The Open Sesame (18 dollars), for example, melds rye washed in sesame oil, prosecco and shiso bitters into a palate-pleasing elixir.
    Cindy Hirschfeld, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Drink more water: This allows your body to flush out excess salt and waste more easily. Follow your regular strength-training routine: Despite the appearance of swollen muscles, an improvement in strength will occur gradually.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Apparently, the best way to get an earworm out of your head is to listen to Rush, flush it all out.
    Laura Martin, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irrigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irrigate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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