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
Critics have warned that the new panels replacing the ones exhibited since 2010 whitewash the history of slavery. — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 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
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
  • There is so much going on in all of our lives but far too much beauty in this world to ignore.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Many structures are built with substandard materials and safety regulations are frequently ignored to reduce costs.
    — Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • And while the challenges of the job don’t excuse the criminal actions, researchers and legal experts said, those experiences can often contribute to their behavioral issues.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Every so often, Singh would excuse himself to the bathroom and jot down Pattinson’s ideas.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • Staring down an assembly of the outraged, Digger spells out the ruthless logic of global capitalism and claims the world’s fuel dependency as the ultimate vindication.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Choi, a field engineer who has since returned to the same Georgia plant, said the claim is about vindication.
    — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of vindication
Noun
  • Friday won't necessarily be a complete washout, but there could be several periods of rain, particularly during the afternoon.
    — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Still some lingering light rain and breezy conditions across parts of the Northeast for tomorrow morning, but not a washout for most.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of washout
Verb
  • Season one struggled to incorporate all of those elements of Lee without either forgiving or betraying his flaws.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The technique is simple, the result is visible and the cut list is forgiving.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions.
    — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • There is always a new spectacle, a new gimmick to lure people into a theater and justify the cost of a ticket.
    — Sam Fleischner, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of justify
Noun
  • The combined company’s streaming business, however, will be much bigger, with Paramount+, Pluto, HBO Max and Discovery+ all set to come under one roof, with rationalization likely.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Although the government later claimed national security concerns, attorneys for the outlets said that was a post-ban rationalization, violating their due process rights.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of rationalization
Noun
  • Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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