dirty laundry

noun

Synonyms of dirty laundrynext
: private matters whose public exposure brings distress and embarrassment

called also dirty linen

Examples of dirty laundry in a Sentence

The company is trying to keep its dirty laundry from being aired in public.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Portnoy agreed that one of them just needs to air out their dirty laundry. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 Because there’s absolutely nothing worse than coming home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry only to find your underwear drawer empty and your hamper overflowing. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026 Toss dirty laundry into the hamper. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Apr. 2026 According to tradition, she was smuggled into the palace wrapped in a carpet—or more likely in a much-less-glamorous sack of dirty laundry—and taken to Caesar’s room. Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirty laundry

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirty laundry was in 1863

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Cite this Entry

“Dirty laundry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirty%20laundry. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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