wash 1 of 2

verb

ˈwȯsh How to pronounce wash (audio)
Definition of washnext
1
as in to bathe
to flow along or against crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager

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3
as in to splash
to flow in a broken irregular stream soapy water washing down the drain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to wet
to make wet rain washed the countryside for days on end

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to rinse
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse washed the baby's hair

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6
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in

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wash

2 of 2

noun

as in marsh
spongy land saturated or partially covered with water an invasive species threatening the plants native to the region's washes

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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 wash
Verb
The house’s holiday 2026 campaign, lensed by Gordon von Steiner, moves through a hotel washed in deep crimson, with gold dresses, black tuxedos and leopard print appearing almost everywhere else. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026 That’s why knowing where to look, what to check and what to do next when a recall hits is just as important as knowing how to wash produce in the first place. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
The animation moves from ink-wash painting to medieval European engraving. — Mark Schilling, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026 In photos obtained by the Daily Mail, the 68-year-old actress was spotted wearing an all-black ensemble that featured a long leather jacket, dark-wash jeans, a turtleneck, and heeled ankle boots. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wash
  1. bathe
  2. fly
  3. splash
  4. wet
  5. rinse
  6. stir
  7. marsh
  8. work
Verb
  • One afternoon, while bathing her father, Thomas found bruising on his body.
    — Raginee Sudhir Chaurey, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The interiors bathe in shades of sand, gray, and blue, echoing the surrounding landscape.
    — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of bathe
Verb
  • Claude Fable 5 had produced a counterexample to the conjecture, much like how an ostrich is a counterexample to the conjecture that all birds can fly.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Jimmy Louis, 70, who was flying with his two children, last flew to Haiti two years ago.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Where lettuce splashed with vinaigrette can feel like an afterthought, a juicy, savory-slanting pear salad is worth making room for on a plate full of turkey and cornbread.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Children splashed in the fountain and played with a soccer ball as the mayoral hopeful introduced herself to voters.
    — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • When the timer dinged, Ernest carried his rats to the sink and wet them gently, one at a time.
    — Madeline ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • One of these chambers contains a disc of fabric that is pre-wetted with water, one contains a foaming agent made up of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium bicarbonate (the main component of baking soda), and one contains a drop of eye medication.
    — Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • There’s no need to rinse the bird, and washing raw poultry can spread bacteria around your kitchen.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • They’re also formulated to rinse away more cleanly than dishwasher tablets.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of rinse
Verb
  • Though the mood at his event was mostly one of defeat, Hilton stirred the crowd with a promise to help Republicans break the Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature in 2028.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Using a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Viewed from the waters of Turner Creek, a serpentine tributary east of Savannah, the dock stretches so far across the marsh that even those with 20-20 vision must squint to see where planking meets terra firma.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Before the healing process was complete, however, Scotty died in what scientists believe was a salty marsh.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of marsh
Verb
  • On the long touchdown catch-and-run, Johnson and Mahomes worked it perfectly.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Ben’s view Hoffman, who sometimes works from a small swivel chair in her children’s room, has followed a path from social video into the center of the swirling news cycles of true crime and celebrity.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of work

Phrases Containing wash

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was friends with
wash
washed
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Cite this Entry

“Wash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wash. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wash

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wash

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