as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
a TV producer who knew what the unwashed masses wanted—and unhesitatingly gave it to them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in masses
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
Aunt Edna was fond of snootily reminding us that we need not take our manners from the great unwashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 unwashed
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
The parasite can cause severe neurological symptoms, with highest risk for those consuming raw freshwater crab, prawns, frogs, snails and unwashed produce.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wrap your unwashed roots in a paper towel to absorb any potential moisture, then store the carrots in a zip-top bag or airtight container in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to 4 weeks.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
Wash them just before using them but be sure to store them unwashed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unwashed
Adjective
Use them immediately, or freeze them unwashed in a resealable plastic bag to use later.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
The parasite can cause severe neurological symptoms, with highest risk for those consuming raw freshwater crab, prawns, frogs, snails and unwashed produce.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wrap your unwashed roots in a paper towel to absorb any potential moisture, then store the carrots in a zip-top bag or airtight container in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to 4 weeks.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
Wash them just before using them but be sure to store them unwashed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unwashed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwashed
Adjective
-
But just who is getting hurt from charging low prices?—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Isaacman is well suited for leading the space agency during the rise of the commercial space industry, with its large potential profits and much lower launch costs because of reusable rockets.—
Thomas Black,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the earlier dolls were crude, lumpen things, a cross between a beanbag and a sculpted potato.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Yet Empire Falls translates into a lumpen, stodgy miniseries, despite a fine central performance from Harris as a divorced diner owner with deep roots in the town and a structure that allows the past to keep informing and enriching the present.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2024
Noun
-
How dare the lowly rabble at Fenway Park treat our esteemed mayor and governor with such disrespect!—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a rabble-rousing politician with grievances galore.—
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
During the Depression, smart cooks came up with a way to make a delicious, family-friendly dessert that required the most humble ingredients.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Peas are a humble ingredient that packs a punch.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Barak was cognizant of how the Arab populace would perceive Israeli involvement.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Iranian regime is deeply unpopular with its populace.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This one is about a regular old guy, a hedge knight in the plebeian population of Westeros, just trying to get by in a world that isn't kind to the common and poor.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Below that sits the pedestrian CLK 500 and plebeian CLK 350.—
Jeremy Korzeniewski,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
That same year, the federal government tasked the research group RAND to look at the WEA system's ability to reach the American public.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
One viral TikTok video shows a man approaching young adults and asking them to chug a BuzzBallz Biggie in public for $100.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But West Virginia is a proletarian locale that until not long ago was a Democratic stronghold.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
These ranged from the aristocratic elite who dominated the military and bureaucracy and yearned for a return to monarchy, to communists who sought proletarian rule, to the National Socialists who wanted to establish a right-wing dictatorship.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwashed. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
