whitewashing

noun

white·​wash·​ing ˈ(h)wīt-ˌwȯ-shiŋ How to pronounce whitewashing (audio)
-ˌwä-
: an act or instance of applying whitewash

Examples of whitewashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The whitewashing of his legacy had actually begun before his death. Wil Haygood, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023 In media, whitewashing is when White actors portray non-White characters. Claire Gillespie, Health, 26 May 2023 Gyllenhaal’s lead role in the film is often cited in conversations about Hollywood whitewashing. Zack Sharf, Variety, 6 Sep. 2023 For this reason, Thanksgiving also signifies a whitewashing of history and an attempt to deflect from the atrocious harm caused to indigenous groups by European settlers. Fiona Tapp, Parents, 20 Aug. 2023 Marcos's visit was protested by Filipino Americans over his whitewashing of human rights abuses committed by the government. Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner, 10 May 2023 Here, cannibalism is a metaphor for the whitewashing of a neighborhood. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2023 The outrage mirrored the whitewashing of casting Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s eponymous 1963 film. Zack Sharf, Variety, 30 June 2023 On a personal level, whitewashing can have a substantial mental impact. Claire Gillespie, Health, 26 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whitewashing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whitewashing was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near whitewashing

Cite this Entry

“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whitewashing. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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