whitewash

¹white·wash

verb \ˈhwīt-ˌwȯsh, ˈwīt-, -ˌwäsh\

Definition of WHITEWASH

transitive verb

1

: to whiten with whitewash

2

a : to gloss over or cover up (as vices or crimes) <refused to whitewash the scandal> b : to exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data

3

: to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game or contest

— white·wash·er noun

Examples of WHITEWASH

1. a book that tries to whitewash the country's past
2. <refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth>

First Known Use of WHITEWASH

1591

Related to WHITEWASH

Synonyms: blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, excuse, wink (at)

Related Words: explain, justify, rationalize; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; waive, wave (aside or off)

Near Antonyms: heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)

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Rhymes with WHITEWASH

awash, backwash, cohosh, czardas, Dias, downwash, eyewash, galosh, ganache, goulash, kibosh, Lammasch, midrash, mishmash, mouthwash, musquash, panache, rainwash, Siwash, wish-wash