whitewashing

1 of 2

noun

white·​wash·​ing ˈ(h)wīt-ˌwȯ-shiŋ 

-ˌwä-

: an act or instance of applying whitewash

also : whitewash sense 3

whitewashing

2 of 2

present participle of whitewash entry 1

Examples of whitewashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Much has been talked of the whitewashing of Ayurveda, for one. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Others are just plain offensive when seen through modern eyes, serving as reminders of the rampant whitewashing of the early film industry. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

This smacks of whitewashing, which is usually a bad sign. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whitewashing

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