whitewash

whitewash

verb

Definition of WHITEWASH

1

to dismiss as of little importance <refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth>

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, whitewash, 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)

2

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 deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash

Related Words sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; account (for), explain, justify, rationalize; minimize, play down, soft-pedal; alleviate, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, soften, temper; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate