wash 1 of 2

verb

ˈwȯsh How to pronounce wash (audio)
Definition of washnext
1
as in to bathe
to flow along or against crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches

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2
as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager

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3
as in to splash
to flow in a broken irregular stream soapy water washing down the drain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to wet
to make wet rain washed the countryside for days on end

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to rinse
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse washed the baby's hair

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6
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in

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wash

2 of 2

noun

as in marsh
spongy land saturated or partially covered with water an invasive species threatening the plants native to the region's washes

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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 wash
Verb
Chemical fertilizers and animal waste contain nitrates and phosphorus that can get washed with rain or snowmelt into the state's web of rivers. — CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Walls around the three-sinks are dirty in the ware-washing area. — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
Robot vacuums have been cleaning carpets for 20-plus years, but the Robotin R2 Pro, out this fall, washes and dries them. — Richard Eisenberg, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 With automatic resin identification, camera monitoring, and coordinated wash-and-cure guidance, the Studio 1 is set to disrupt the entry-level and mainstream SLA printer markets—and earns our Editors’ Choice award as the best in its category. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wash
  1. bathe
  2. fly
  3. splash
  4. wet
  5. rinse
  6. stir
  7. marsh
  8. work
Verb
  • Dduk Dabang The restaurant specializes in toppoki, which are hot dishes filled with chewy rice cakes bathed in a sauce.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, in 1986, many of the largest cities were bathed in permanent twilight, with only the brightest stars and planets visible from near city centers and with astronomically unacceptable conditions up to 50 miles (80 km) away.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of bathe
Verb
  • The company had been gearing up to fly several more this year having already been given approval to fly as many as 12 times a year.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • For the 31st time as secretary of state, Marco Rubio has left on a trip abroad, flying to Uzbekistan and later India amid rumblings that America's top diplomat is ignoring pressing matters in favor of politically safer visits and meetings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • The emotional landscape is heightened by birdcalls, splashing waves, and trees thrashing in the wind.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This gargantuan show is replete with Pollock's greatest hits, the giant, frozen dances of paint splashed on canvas that have become iconic.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • The Bluff offers a gorgeous view of a section of the Tanana River and the surrounding boglands, ranging from permafrost forests to wet fens to bogs.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Crumble up and wet a small piece, then gently rub it over spots and stains.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • The self-rinsing jet remains enclosed when not in use, so there’s less worry about the spread of bacteria.
    — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When the water turns pink, discard it, then rinse and drain the oxtails.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rinse
Verb
  • To a small bowl, add the tamarind purée, chiles, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and salt and stir to combine.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Before the healing process was complete, however, Scotty died in what scientists believe was a salty marsh.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In Cusk’s first novel after the blockbuster Outline trilogy, a woman invites an artist to stay at her home on a marsh, and things unravel from there.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of marsh
Verb
  • Employee working with open food not wearing effective hair restraint.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But while critics on the Israeli right railed against the deal, Netanyahu’s deputies worked behind the scenes to preserve it, according to correspondence obtained by TIME.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of work

Phrases Containing wash

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was friends with
wash
washed
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Cite this Entry

“Wash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wash. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wash

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wash

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