whitewashing

noun

white·​wash·​ing ˈ(h)wīt-ˌwȯ-shiŋ 

-ˌwä-

: an act or instance of applying whitewash

also : whitewash sense 3

Examples of whitewashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But this whitewashing of Disney’s whitewashing is more recent than the story implies—the film was rereleased into US theaters (and protested) four times, most recently in 1986 in anticipation of the opening of Splash Mountain. —Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026

For generations the city has been a hub of Black music plagued by rampant whitewashing and swagger jacking. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026

So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live? —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026

Good luck with the whitewashing. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whitewashing

• brainwashing
• handwashing
• quashing
• sloshing
• squashing
• washing