verb Uncommon

Watergate

WAH-tuhr-gayt

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Watergate (verb) means to treat someone, or handle a situation, in a way that recalls the Watergate political scandal — especially through cover-ups or abuse of power. Example: “Critics accused the mayor's office of trying to watergate the leaked documents by stonewalling every question.”

verb

To treat someone, or handle a situation, in a way that recalls the Watergate political scandal — especially through cover-ups or abuse of power.

"Critics accused the mayor's office of trying to watergate the leaked documents by stonewalling every question."

How to use Watergate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo act out a political cover-up scandal, echoing the original Watergate affair.

Common pairings

-gate suffix (as in any scandal named after Watergate)

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: Watergates
Past tense: Watergated

Test yourself on “Watergate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Critics accused the mayor's office of trying to _____ the leaked documents by stonewalling every question.

Etymology

From the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., site of the 1972 break-in that triggered the scandal ending in President Nixon's resignation; the hotel itself was named after a spot on the Potomac once used for concerts.

· First attested 1972

Class of 1972 Watergate joined the language around 1972.

Stepford virus

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Rhymes for Watergate

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Watergate” mean?

The word “Watergate” means to treat someone, or handle a situation, in a way that recalls the Watergate political scandal — especially through cover-ups or abuse of power. In plain terms, to act out a political cover-up scandal, echoing the original Watergate affair.

How do you pronounce “Watergate”?

“Watergate” is pronounced WAH-tuhr-gayt (/ˈwɑtəɹˌɡeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “Watergate” in a sentence?

Here is “Watergate” used in a sentence: “Critics accused the mayor's office of trying to watergate the leaked documents by stonewalling every question.”

What part of speech is “Watergate”?

“Watergate” is a verb.

Where does the word “Watergate” come from?

The word “Watergate” dates back to around 1972. From the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., site of the 1972 break-in that triggered the scandal ending in President Nixon's resignation; the hotel itself was named after a spot on the Potomac once used for concerts.

Is “Watergate” a common word?

“Watergate” is an uncommon word in modern English.