whitewash

¹white·wash

transitive verb \ˈhwīt-ˌwȯsh, ˈwīt-, -ˌwäsh\

Definition of WHITEWASH

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)

Rhymes with WHITEWASH

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

²whitewash

noun

Definition of WHITEWASH

1

: a liquid composition for whitening a surface: as

a : a preparation for whitening the skin

b : a composition (as of lime and water or whiting, size, and water) for whitening structural surfaces

2

: an act or instance of glossing over or of exonerating

3

: a defeat in a contest in which the loser fails to score

First Known Use of WHITEWASH

1678