WASHING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

washing

verb

Definition of washing

present participle of wash

as in bathing

to flow along or against crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in flying

to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in splashing

to flow in a broken irregular stream soapy water washing down the drain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wetting

to make wet rain washed the countryside for days on end

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rinsing

to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse washed the baby's hair

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as in stirring

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in

Synonyms & Similar 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 washing Walls around the three-sinks are dirty in the ware-washing area. — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026 Meals start with a server ritualistically washing your hands with rose water. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 An employee also rinsed off their hands at the sprayer for the dish machine as a means of washing their hands. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 Someone else touched a cellphone, then went back to handling food without changing gloves or washing hands. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Americans aren't only paying more for food amid stubbornly high inflation — the cost of washing it down has also surged. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The facility lacked sanitizer and dishes were not sanitized after washing with soap. — Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 For some, that means washing one or two times a week compared to the UK or US, where 41% of people wash upwards of three times a week, with 21% washing their hair every other day. — Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 But while fall may (eventually) bring cooler nights, that doesn’t mean our normal weekly cleaning practices should fall by the wayside, like washing our sheets. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing

Verb

In the tottering years, a bathing bird or blossoming flower will raise a thrill in you like only a game winning home run or a Disney World vacation used to.

— Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Harvard Health recommends bathing regularly, using a high-quality deodorant or antiperspirant, staying hydrated to offset fluid loss from sweating and talking to a doctor if a strange new scent lingers.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of bathing

Verb

The camera crew was typically two feet away from his face at all times, and with water splashing around in there, the movie just sounded horrific and atrocious for months.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
The emotional landscape is heightened by birdcalls, splashing waves, and trees thrashing in the wind.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of splashing

Verb

Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.

— Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of wetting

Verb

Employee was observed rinsing vegetables in the hand wash sink.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Just after midnight on October 1, police say that video from the victim’s camera showed Wang rinsing out the victim’s coffee mug with a liquid from her own.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of rinsing

Verb

Each time a shutter fires, and each time a tire squeals, involves countless pieces working together to deliver a smooth outcome.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Linn County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, but the church barred Moore from working with children, youth and vulnerable adults.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026