leaching

[leech-ing] / ˈlitʃ ɪŋ /

VERB

drain, empty

Synonyms

STRONG

extract filter filtrate percolate seep strain

WEAK

lixiviate wash away

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The chemical is essential in the leaching process of copper, which involves extracting the metal from copper ore.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Nickel and cobalt processing are also seeing higher costs because sulfur is used in high-pressure acid leaching.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Audience trust is leaching away fast and Brits are increasingly refusing to pay up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

This unusual imbalance suggested that liquid water had once seeped through the rocks, effectively leaching lutetium out of them.

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2025

The darkness flashed again, momentarily leaching the color from the horizon.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan