whitewash 1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wīt-ˌwȯsh How to pronounce whitewash (audio)
Definition of whitewashnext
1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses don't try to whitewash your rudeness by claiming that you were having a bad day

Synonyms & Similar Words

whitewash

2 of 2

noun

1
as in vindication

Related Words
2
as in washout

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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 whitewash
Verb
Sant Pol de Mar swaps crowded stretches of sand for quieter coves, whitewashed buildings and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Barcelona. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Clark accused some board members of whitewashing history after Young amended the curriculum to remove one definition of slavery for third-graders, citing redundancy. — Rachel Royster. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Noun
London is the capital of pristine facades, often painted in wedding-cake shades of cream or ivory; the city’s dominant aesthetic is a literal whitewash. — Mark O’Connell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026 The Storm defense was impressive, allowing Birmingham to convert only 1 of 13 third-down plays in the whitewash. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
  1. ignore
  2. excuse
  3. vindication
  4. washout
  5. forgive
  6. justify
  7. rationalization
  8. setback
Verb
  • Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied accusations that the government ignored warnings about an impending mass border crossing from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The numbers are impossible to ignore, while Boteli’s bustling physical profile — two-footed, quick, and comfortable through the middle or out wide — means that a move to Europe’s top five leagues will soon be on the cards.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • The jury requested to be excused for the day hours after telling Judge William Sullivan that it was deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous decision.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • However, ultimate vindication, or at least mitigation on the legal side of things, as well as the potential of AI as a multiplier for Meta's business, is keeping us in the stock.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Strong feelings of certainty, relief, or vindication are often a signal that your identity has done the evaluating, not your critical thinking.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of vindication
Noun
  • Residents of the nearby River Road Apartments near there were encouragedto evacuate last night due to erosion caused by the washout.
    — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Similar to today, there will be large gaps of three to four hours between rounds of rain so the day won't be a washout.
    — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of washout
Verb
  • Those visitors might have been forgiven for wondering what a building that looked like the Starship Enterprise had to do with national self-determination.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Any remaining eligible balance may be forgiven after 25 years of qualifying payments.
    — Maya Benjamin,Dan Avery, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Long-term resource potential Technical performance alone cannot justify a project; economic balance governs actual field deployment.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The prosecution and defense both gave closing arguments Tuesday during the second preliminary hearing since July, which is a limited purpose proceeding held for a judge to determine whether the charges are justified.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of justify
Noun
  • So far Versace has gone through a rationalization of its network with the closure of 10 stores.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On the company’s earnings call, Celsius Chairman and CEO John Fieldly cited a product rationalization program and deliberate pause in innovation as main reasons for the shortfall.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of rationalization
Noun
  • Sadiq also missed all but three training camp practices after experiencing a setback.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The reversal is also a setback for Anna Wintour, Condé Nast’s chief content officer and the driving force behind the Met Gala.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of setback

Browse Nearby Words

white-tie
whitewash
whitewashed
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Cite this Entry

“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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