as in glowing
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
she blushed when she realized she had walked into the boys' bathroom by mistake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in pink
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in embarrassed
Related Words
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 blushing
Bill Newcott, National Geographic, 13 Dec. 2019
But when a thorny, unsolved problem arose a boss invariably stood up and pointed to the blushing youngster.
—Brandon R. Brown, Smithsonian, 12 July 2019
And on her wedding day, Paltrow looked every bit the blushing bride.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2018
And then his blushing bride-to-be, fellow host Mika Brzezinski, vigorously defends him on Twitter.
—Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018
Inspired by 2003's Kill Bill, the Western-themed music video opens in a church, with Cardi starring as a blushing bride, with glowy skin and a head full of platinum blond strands blowing in the wind.
—Helena Yeung, Teen Vogue, 22 May 2018
Much like the blushing bride, the six young bridesmaids walked down the aisle in dresses designed by Givenchy‘s Clare Waight Keller, according to a palace statement.
—Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 19 May 2018
With soft blushing cheeks and a lip color that practically matches, Kate Bosworth looks like a picture-perfect celestial maiden.
—Kathleen Hou, The Cut, 7 May 2018
There could be hundreds of such blushing encounters before the chameleons of two different colors are familiar enough to mate.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 July 2017
Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
The blushing hue works well with neutrals and bold colors alike, bringing a cheerful spin to any room.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
The saxophones and horns of Miller’s Army Air Force Band waft through the house, enveloping the medals on the wall and the photos of a young soldier and his blushing bride.
—Bill Newcott, National Geographic, 13 Dec. 2019
But when a thorny, unsolved problem arose a boss invariably stood up and pointed to the blushing youngster.
—Brandon R. Brown, Smithsonian, 12 July 2019
And on her wedding day, Paltrow looked every bit the blushing bride.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2018
And then his blushing bride-to-be, fellow host Mika Brzezinski, vigorously defends him on Twitter.
—Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018
Inspired by 2003's Kill Bill, the Western-themed music video opens in a church, with Cardi starring as a blushing bride, with glowy skin and a head full of platinum blond strands blowing in the wind.
—Helena Yeung, Teen Vogue, 22 May 2018
Much like the blushing bride, the six young bridesmaids walked down the aisle in dresses designed by Givenchy‘s Clare Waight Keller, according to a palace statement.
—Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 19 May 2018
With soft blushing cheeks and a lip color that practically matches, Kate Bosworth looks like a picture-perfect celestial maiden.
—Kathleen Hou, The Cut, 7 May 2018
There could be hundreds of such blushing encounters before the chameleons of two different colors are familiar enough to mate.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 July 2017
Adjective
The kid wore birthday glasses and shook his head at each shot, blushing.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
The blushing hue works well with neutrals and bold colors alike, bringing a cheerful spin to any room.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blushing
Verb
-
Inside, the minimalist lobby doubles as a gallery, and the in-house restaurant, The Hive, is dripping with sculptures of glowing honeycombs, kudzu vines, and swarms of bees.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The mural, which took nearly three years to complete, features glowing, starry skies punctuated by larger-than-life characters and magical landscapes that don’t exist in our realm.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
AFAR Media,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
An initial jolt of spicy pink pepper dissipates to reveal a rose dripping in honeyed, ambery sweetness, while its leathery base adds strength, dimension, and something a little bit naughty to this fruity-floral triumph of a scent.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, we were reminded that maroon tones are making their comeback, pale pink cheeks and lids are stealing attention, and dark lips are adding drama.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And none of those figures includes losses victims were too embarrassed to report.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the Dolphins were embarrassed in Indy, and Anthony Weaver’s defense — fourth-best in the league in yards allowed in 2024 — was an absolute no-show.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Finding the right green brought its own challenges as the team had to find a color that would not only neutralize redness, but also work on all skin tones—even people who didn’t have flushing or redness, blending into the skin without leaving Elphaba-like traces behind.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Cabin crews also get frustrated by passengers flushing inappropriate items, like wet wipes, which clog airplane toilets.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Stewart wore a pinkish brown tweed jacket with a double-breasted silhouette, peaked lapels, structured shoulders with shoulder pads, and gleaming golden buttons.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The bloom appears as a bright pinkish-orange cloud during the day, but nighttime brings a spectacular transformation.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Photos from their wedding ceremony, which took place at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick, Scotland, show a tall, dark-haired man in a suit standing among the other guests — and appearing a bit sheepish — per BBC Scotland.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
That’s the only real plot-adjacent snippet in the clip, though there’s also a quick shot of Trump descending the steps of Air Force One with his sheepish-looking lover Satan following behind him.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Flushing Meadows has become the site of flushed cheeks during the final grand slam tournament of the year, with a confrontation over grunting on Saturday serving up the latest evidence of emotions running hot in New York.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Physical symptoms can include a racing heartbeat, stomach pain, sweaty palms, and a flushed face.—
Time,
Time,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Rows of blowsy moss-green cabbages, their thick veins silvered with spider webs, the edges of their tougher outer leaves nibbled by slugs and snails.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Aug. 2025
-
In the final scene, the one female regular at the Royal, a blowsy barfly well played by Barbara Lowing, is moving toward the bar as Hanna and Liv move decisively in the other direction.—
Sheri Linden,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Blushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blushing. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share