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

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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

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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
Linen, washed cotton, lightweight knits, and silk all have a natural ease to them that works beautifully on vacation. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 In many cases, bodies have been washed far downstream and rendered unrecognizable, while others still missing are feared to have been buried in the torrent of thick mud. — Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
How To Remove Lingering Odors or Mildew Smells To tackle lingering odors or mildew smells, try adding one cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle, which helps break down odor-causing bacteria and leaves your bath mat smelling fresh. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026 This do-less lean is in keeping with the growing popularity of lip stains, which deliver a wash of color that enhances your natural lip shade, creating the illusion of a plumper pout without much product. — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 Sep. 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
  • Tracing Saint’s rise and fall over six seasons, the final episode was bathed in tragedy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Leah was the parent who fed the children, changed their diapers, bathed them, and planned to homeschool them.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bathe
Verb
  • Trump said on social media alongside a photo of former President Dwight Eisenhower, who was the first president to fly in a helicopter.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026
  • At about midnight, the mayflies stopped flying and the fish disappeared.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Doggy Pool Party Let your dog have its day splashing at the Doggy Pool Party at Kelley Cofer Park in Tucker.
    — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The crew of Artemis II, led by commander Reid Wiseman, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a triumphant trip around the Moon.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    — Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wet
Verb
  • The bestselling cream-like balm melts into a clear, oil-like cleanser when warmed between dry palms, dissolving makeup, sunscreen, and grime before emulsifying with water and rinsing clean.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Torres likes to clean zellige tiles in 2-foot sections at a time, rinsing the microfiber cloth in clean water before moving on to the next section.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of rinse
Verb
  • Gizelle, who has been stirring the pot and playing producer for everyone on the trip, keeps up her conniving ways by sitting down all the RHOP ladies except for Candiace during their Potomac retrospective moment at the party.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Moon enters adventurous Leo, stirring your interest in travel, education, or an idea that could expand your options.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the historic route connected waterfront communities that were once separated by rivers, bays, and marshes, creating a new way for travelers to experience the region’s seafood, architecture, and maritime traditions.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Black rat snakes occupy an expansive range of habitats, from swamps and marshes to forests and fields.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of marsh
Verb
  • The processor may perform better, but scaling still depends on everything around it working reliably.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Their biggest obstacle is that their collectivist vision has never worked without trampling on civil liberties.
    — Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wash

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wash

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