bleach

verb

ˈblēch How to pronounce bleach (audio)
Definition of bleachnext
as in to fade
to make white or whiter by removing color bleached the stained shirt back to its original white

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bleach Ortega can be seen leaving her Wednesday-era long jet-black hair and bleached eyebrows behind. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 June 2026 Too much sunlight, normally only a problem in areas with extremely hot climates, may cause plants to bleach out and look pale, which may be mistaken for yellowing. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026 Pure white cloth, born in the murderous toil of slavery, formed in debilitating factory conditions, and finished through the agony of Sicilian children, was bleached in more ways than one. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 15 June 2026 The movie features a teenage character who bleached his hair, leading Vin Diesel's character to believe something nefarious was afoot. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bleach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleach
  1. fade
  2. brighten
  3. dull
  4. whiten
Verb
  • Most of Future’s peers in the post-Lil Wayne digital-trap era of the early 2010s, from fellow Atlanta stars Young Thug and 2 Chainz to Southern boldfaced names like Kodak Black and Kevin Gates, have faded back into the regional-rap morass.
    — Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026
  • Each song explores a different kind of longing—lovers come together but fall apart, dreams fade away only to have resolutions renewed—against a different strain of soul.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
Definition of fade
Verb
  • Air molecules reflect and scatter light beyond an immediate beam, which is why the sky starts brightening at dawn even before the sun climbs above the horizon.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 July 2026
  • Detroit has also allowed a league-high 153 points through three weeks, further brightening Crawford’s outlook.
    — Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Definition of brighten
Verb
  • Your diplomatic touch can set kind boundaries without dulling your warmth.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • The 22-year-old was long considered ill-suited for grass, given how the surface dulls the athletic foundation of her game and rushes her forehand.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of dull
Verb
  • Use baking soda to treat stains in your laundry, freshen and soften fabrics, and boost bleach whitening abilities.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 19 June 2026
  • The chemical remains an ingredient in countless products from whitening toothpastes to eyeshadows, although the FDA did ban its inclusion in household soap products in 2016.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 12 June 2026
Definition of whiten

Browse Nearby Words

blazons
bleach
bleached
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Cite this Entry

“Bleach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleach. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bleach

Nglish: Translation of bleach for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bleach

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