lily-white

adjective

ˈli-lē-ˈ(h)wīt How to pronounce lily-white (audio)
Definition of lily-whitenext
as in innocent
free from guilt or blame the state's lieutenant governor was the only member of the administration who could claim to have remained lily-white during the scandal

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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 lily-white Forced to leave their home in Shreveport, Louisiana, and her civil rights advocacy behind, Charlotte arrives in Derry apprehensive about the lily-white town and unsettling vibes that seem to blanket everything. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025 In the mid-2010s, the movie industry lurched haltingly toward greater representation after social-media campaigns called attention to the overwhelming dominance of lily-white stories and awards shows. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 7 Nov. 2025 The broadening Carlile spoke of was evident in the Americanas’ increasing diversity in what was once considered a lily-white genre, as well as the growth of interest among young people for new old souls like Jesse Welles. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Sep. 2025 To the naked eye, the sport’s lily-white facade is deeply pervasive. — Essence, 17 Oct. 2024 The suburbs have long and deep histories of racial exclusion, creating the lily-white neighborhoods that benefited generations of white families. — Becky Nicolaides / Made By History, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024 Riding was a lily-white sport there, too, but there wasn’t the same kind of ceiling on what was possible for a Black man. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lily-white
  1. innocent
  2. blameless
  3. irreproachable
  4. guiltless
Adjective
  • More than 150 innocent civilians were also killed in those strikes, according to a report released by the Pentagon this August.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In England, poet William Cowper portrayed Mai as an innocent corrupted by European society.
    — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Yet this particular Jason underscores the tragedy playing out for all the others, who are blameless and worthy, guilty only of not being the original.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Red Sox weren’t exactly blameless in the Devers saga, and the whole thing could’ve been avoided with better communication between player and franchise.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of blameless
Adjective
  • Unlike MacKay’s Ferrars, seemingly the more loyal and irreproachable type, both men end up screwing over the Dashwoods in their own ways.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than focus on a single irreproachable hero, Mendonça Filho dilates his lens to take in an expansive world.
    — Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of irreproachable
Adjective
  • In any year, in any culture, there are no antagonists (save for Nazis) better suited as action cinema heavies; rooting against child trafficking lowlifes is moral, easy, and best of all, a completely guiltless pleasure.
    — Andy Crump, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
  • Chick lit was flippant and fizzy and fun, above all, as effervescent and guiltless as a vodka soda.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 4 May 2026
Definition of guiltless

Browse Nearby Words

lily-livered
lily-white
limb
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Cite this Entry

“Lily-white.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lily-white. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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