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
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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
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Recent Examples of unwashed
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
Salmonella can contaminate food in various ways, the CDC says, either through the water used to grow fruits and vegetables, or by cross-contamination caused by unwashed hands or food preparation instruments.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwashed
Adjective
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
Salmonella can contaminate food in various ways, the CDC says, either through the water used to grow fruits and vegetables, or by cross-contamination caused by unwashed hands or food preparation instruments.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwashed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwashed
Adjective
-
Independent opinion polls show support for Fidesz has dropped to its lowest level in years.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Oilers scored on all three power-play chances in the best performance for that unit since Leon Draisaitl went down with a lower-body injury on March 15 after scoring with the man advantage early in that game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 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
-
While many people have been introduced to English choral services through the angelic voices of the choristers in flowing robes and Elizabethan ruffs who sing at royal weddings and carol services, choirs perform every day in much more humble settings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Colagreco’s hero restaurant espouses a sustainable gastronomy—in this case, elevating the humble British vegetable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 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
-
But it’s lost a lot of goodwill with the soccer-loving public.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has benefited from a public worn down by repetition.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
8 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 13 Apr. 2026.
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