1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
washed-out blond hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
feeling washed-out after the endless primary season, the party's nominee needs a vacation more than anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleached
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in killed
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rinsed
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
wash out your bathing suit in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 washed-out
Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Images incorporated into the mayor’s video showed washed-out or collapsed roads, a car stuck in floodwaters and raging waterways.
—Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter.
—Zach Boetto, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The magic lies in its warmth, which prevents the face from looking washed-out.
—María Diez, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025
Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024
The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light.
—PCMAG, 30 May 2024
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Momentum is neither extended nor washed out, which is actually fine at the early stage of a breakout retest.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Rain washed out qualifying Saturday, and the gray, overcast sky served as a fitting background for the somber mood enveloping Charlotte Motor Speedway and its 1½-mile track.
—Steve Reed, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Starting lineup for Sunday’s Cup Series race Cup qualifying was washed out Saturday afternoon, and thus the starting lineup was set by the rule book.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026
On a recent late fall day, heavy rain had washed out a section of the access road, so the last stretch had to be done on foot.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
That change came after storms washed out the festival a couple of years ago.
—Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Heavy light pollution washed out faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas, reducing contrast and making astrophotography far more challenging.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Stockman recommends reseeding, at least in the spots that got washed out.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Numerous roads washed-out, collapsing down into the ground.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Images incorporated into the mayor’s video showed washed-out or collapsed roads, a car stuck in floodwaters and raging waterways.
—Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter.
—Zach Boetto, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The magic lies in its warmth, which prevents the face from looking washed-out.
—María Diez, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025
Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024
The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light.
—PCMAG, 30 May 2024
Verb
The United Nations said in 1989 if global warming wasn’t stopped by 2000, entire nations could be washed out by rising seas.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Momentum is neither extended nor washed out, which is actually fine at the early stage of a breakout retest.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Rain washed out qualifying Saturday, and the gray, overcast sky served as a fitting background for the somber mood enveloping Charlotte Motor Speedway and its 1½-mile track.
—Steve Reed, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Starting lineup for Sunday’s Cup Series race Cup qualifying was washed out Saturday afternoon, and thus the starting lineup was set by the rule book.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026
On a recent late fall day, heavy rain had washed out a section of the access road, so the last stretch had to be done on foot.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
That change came after storms washed out the festival a couple of years ago.
—Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Heavy light pollution washed out faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas, reducing contrast and making astrophotography far more challenging.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Stockman recommends reseeding, at least in the spots that got washed out.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
That look-to-local approach can be seen here too, in the faded Turkish rugs on the floors and splashes of modern Turkish design—in particular, bright ikat cushions and throws—in the otherwise simple bedrooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Prune Lightly to Maintain Shape Once the flowers become unattractive, clean up the plant's overall shape by selectively pruning branches and the faded blooms.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Second, they are wired to please you in a way that does not turn off, does not get tired and does not second-guess itself.—
Shreyans Mehta,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Michiganders are tired of the games and want strong, bipartisan leadership.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Following the 2008 financial crisis, several of Spain’s major industries collapsed, the unemployment rate soared to 27 percent, and the banking system entered such a vicious cycle that not even the Spanish government could afford to rescue it (hence, the EU bailout).—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Revenue grew, but margins collapsed and management became chaotic.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
But beyond these gardens the terrain is dry, trees thin; green after summer rains, but parched and bleached for most of the year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
Scented and bleached toilet paper can have irritating chemicals, while wiping the wrong way can increase your risk of infection.—
Pamela Assid Woughter,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
At least 13 people were killed in the overnight assault that Ukraine’s military said involved more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles, including advanced hypersonics.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Israel says 23 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed over the same period.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of deep scrubbing carpet fibers repeatedly, most dirt can simply be rinsed away with water, helping maintain a cleaner cabin with less effort.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 May 2026
-
Ensure The 3 Compartment Sink Is Washed,rinsed, And Sanitized, And Air Dried Before Being Used As A Food Contact Surface.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
The national team player posted images on Instagram showcasing the distinctive headphones, featuring large, flat earcups, unique tubular telescoping arms, and an all-new pale pink finish.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Once mounted, the voluptuous nude body stands tall like a mountain against the pale wash of Sotheby’s London gallery.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
International cave-diving teams are navigating jagged, zero-visibility passages while weighing whether to guide the exhausted, untrained villagers underwater or wait for receding floodwaters, echoing dilemmas from Thailand’s 2018 cave rescue.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Rice looked exhausted a few weeks back but returned to form as the season reached its climax.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
