as in disaster
something that has failed
the fashion designer's last showing was a complete washout
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bleach
to make white or whiter by removing color
the bright lights of the TV studio washed out her facial features, making her look as white as a ghost
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washout
Jason Kirk, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
In optimal conditions, most vehicles can make it, but high clearance is strongly recommended—especially in winter and after storms, when washouts, flooding, or snow accumulation are possible.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Over-micing of the looming Tim the Enchanter, against a psychedelic overboil of bright, surreal colorings on the screens, washed out much of the scene below.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for washout
Noun
Expectations going up after two straight Playoff washouts.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
In optimal conditions, most vehicles can make it, but high clearance is strongly recommended—especially in winter and after storms, when washouts, flooding, or snow accumulation are possible.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Because of a bright waning gibbous moon on that night, many fainter meteors will be washed out, particularly in the northern latitudes.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Over-micing of the looming Tim the Enchanter, against a psychedelic overboil of bright, surreal colorings on the screens, washed out much of the scene below.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for washout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washout
Noun
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Rushing through your plans is a recipe for disaster, so avoid attempting to multitask.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The disaster led to an extensive decontamination effort to clean up nuclear material dispersed when conventional explosives in the hydrogen bombs detonated after hitting the ground.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Degrading Iran’s war machine The larger munitions would have likely been used to penetrate underground facilities, destroy missile launch bunkers, and collapse tunnels or storage depots.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
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This side-splitting comedy follows the same well-meaning troupe from The Play That Goes Wrong, whose latest attempt at staging Peter Pan quickly collapses into chaos.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Corals bleached and their population nose-dived, especially in the Keys, where water temperatures hit a Jacuzzi-like 101 degrees.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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Egg cartons made with recycled paper could be bleached or potentially contain contaminants, depending on the origins of the paper.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Police released an image captured from a surveillance video showing a person wearing dark clothes and a backpack, with their face covered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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Liu’s jacket—worn open over a white crewneck tee—featured a breast pocket bearing the house’s telltale LV monogram.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Before planting, wash containers with soap and water, then rinse with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water to prevent disease.—
Holly McNamara,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
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How to clean hummingbird feeders Ensure your feeders are thoroughly washed and rinsed before filling them with food.—
Jordan Green,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some policy defenders contend that the labor market weakness reflects adjustments to immigration restrictions rather than fundamental economic failure, positioning this as a deliberate policy choice rather than an economic failure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Survivors are at risk of infections and organ or respiratory failure, even if their burns are small.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some candidates who submitted petitions by the March 4 deadline failed to qualify because some of their signatures were deemed invalid.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Republicans, who control half of the Minnesota House, pointed out that DHS failed to detect fraud for years.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Will those quality wins be enough to bolster the tournament hopes that seem to fade with each score update from across the country?—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
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Similarly, faded or outdated trim and porch columns stick out in a modern neighborhood, but these features can be updated with a quick coat of paint or stain to enhance the look of your home.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washout. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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