washing-out 1 of 2

adjective

as in failing

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washing out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wash out
1
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleaching
to make white or whiter by removing color the bright lights of the TV studio washed out her facial features, making her look as white as a ghost

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3
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of that last illness washed the child out completely

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse wash out your bathing suit in the sink

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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 washing-out
Verb
Even in blazing sunlight, the screen cuts right through the glare without washing out. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 The intense lunar spotlight casts significant glare across the cluster, heavily washing out its faint blue reflection nebulosity. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Many astronomers concluded that big black holes dotted the universe, washing out the light of the stars in their host galaxies. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 The scalp scrubs that made our final list lathered well and did a good job of washing out fully, no matter the size of the exfoliating particles. — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026 Rain postponed the start of play, washing out the entire morning session and much of the second. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 The area has already be hit hard, with floodwaters washing out roads and causing evacuation of homes. — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2026 The downpour knocked out power to nearly 4,000 residents and caused significant structural damage to infrastructure, including washing out sections of Highway 52 near Hancock Drive. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Chief among the dangers is climate change that has led to rising seas and erosion washing out oystercatcher nests. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing-out
  1. failing
  2. collapsing
  3. bleaching
  4. wearing
  5. rinsing
  6. folding
  7. striking out
  8. fading
Adjective
  • The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and International Criminal Court, which all got failing grades in last year's survey, saw the biggest gains.
    — Andrea Shalal, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.
    — Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Jan. 2026
Definition of failing
Verb
  • His message delivery is no more successful than Todd’s, and now the entire conference is in danger of collapsing.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The wounded man fled across the parking lot before collapsing near Seminary Drive, where responding officers attempted lifesaving measures.
    — Giles Hudson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of collapsing
Verb
  • But their research findings could open the door to a new intervention to help corals recover from bleaching events.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers first treated the cotton with sodium dithionite, a reducing agent, before bleaching it with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleaching
Verb
  • Jackson had not been reported missing The man had been wearing a button-down short-sleeve shirt, light blue jeans, a silver wristwatch and blue-and-white tennis shoes.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Temperatures are not conducive to actors wearing wool coats and scarves, and the snow on the ground is going to be added in post.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wearing
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
Adjective
  • Apple already offers this feature on non-folding iPhones, but those devices must be plugged in and propped up on their side.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
  • During the event, Ternus also introduced the latest version of the company’s non-folding smartphone, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of folding
Verb
  • Though there is a political risk inherent in striking out in a solitary direction, there can also be reward.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • King set the tone by striking out probable NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong with the first three pitches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of striking out
Verb
  • The Saints are fading after a strong start, and Tyler Shough is struggling and dealing with a left hand injury.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In the rapidly fading light, a splendid buck muley took half a step forward and looked straight toward me.
    — Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fading

Browse Nearby Words

washing one's hands of
washing-out
washing out
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Cite this Entry

“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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