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 wore
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
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Recent Examples of washed-out
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
That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Although colors aren’t reference-monitor accurate, the lifelike hues and sharp edges on words and textures create a high-quality image that doesn’t look artificially saturated or washed-out like on similar portable monitors.
—Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2023
Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Flash flooding occurred in other parts of the Southwest as the heaviest downpours dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain in around an hour for some spots, causing some roads to be washed out and anything in the way of rushing floodwaters to be swept away.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2025
The floods occurred following thunderstorms from Tropical Storm Mario and washed out part of State Route 38 in the San Bernardino Mountains, leaving multiple vehicles stranded and caught in mudslides on the road, NBC News reported, citing the California Department of Transportation.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Doing so is difficult; such dams are often washed out in each new big storm.
—Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
After heavy rain, floodwaters and landslides washed out bridges and cut off every means of escape for Vidal, she was stuck alone with only her dog for four days in her Burnsville cabin until a National Guard helicopter rescued them.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
That's a sky where the Milky Way is very weak or invisible near the horizon and looks rather washed out overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The festival was washed out by weather, promised luxury accommodations and food were nowhere to be found (except for some pathetic cheese sandwiches), and guests only stayed one night of what was supposed to be a two-week experience.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
That means your weekend plans could be washed out.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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
That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Although colors aren’t reference-monitor accurate, the lifelike hues and sharp edges on words and textures create a high-quality image that doesn’t look artificially saturated or washed-out like on similar portable monitors.
—Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2023
Verb
The gel can be put on the scalp before a chemotherapy infusion and washed out after the infusion is complete, reports Kristen Jordan Shamus.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Flash flooding occurred in other parts of the Southwest as the heaviest downpours dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain in around an hour for some spots, causing some roads to be washed out and anything in the way of rushing floodwaters to be swept away.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2025
The floods occurred following thunderstorms from Tropical Storm Mario and washed out part of State Route 38 in the San Bernardino Mountains, leaving multiple vehicles stranded and caught in mudslides on the road, NBC News reported, citing the California Department of Transportation.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Doing so is difficult; such dams are often washed out in each new big storm.
—Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
After heavy rain, floodwaters and landslides washed out bridges and cut off every means of escape for Vidal, she was stuck alone with only her dog for four days in her Burnsville cabin until a National Guard helicopter rescued them.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
That's a sky where the Milky Way is very weak or invisible near the horizon and looks rather washed out overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The festival was washed out by weather, promised luxury accommodations and food were nowhere to be found (except for some pathetic cheese sandwiches), and guests only stayed one night of what was supposed to be a two-week experience.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
That means your weekend plans could be washed out.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
In 1975, Elvis was a faded star in Vegas and Robert Johnson was just another obscure dead bluesman.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Williams, in a faded plaid shirt, gray hair sprouting from under a John Deere hat, paced.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Or, the formula comes in a radiant finish, which both makeup artists love for dull or tired skin in need of a pick-me-up.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bosa walked off gingerly, but then collapsed on the sideline following the incident.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Last season, Spurs collapsed after leading 2-0 at half-time and conceded three times in 21 minutes.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Here, hollowed eyes, pale complexions, bleached or barely there brows and bold lips were encouraged.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The combination of white quartz and bleached ash wood make this a piece that will brighten up even windowless bathrooms.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Affleck, who wore a face mask while delivering her remarks, then shifted her focus to COVID-19 and long-term health concerns.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Beneath her trenchcoat, Hadid wore a pair of indigo tapered jeans, coordinated with a white collared shirt for a quiet luxury aesthetic.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Washable ones can be rinsed in water only and air dried.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, hollowed eyes, pale complexions, bleached or barely there brows and bold lips were encouraged.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
This week, a gentle, pale boy is presenting on Martin Lindauer, who made foundational observations about scout bees—the bees who search out sites to build new hives.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Founders may feel emotionally exhausted or addicted to the thrill of building.—
Anuradha Gupta,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
From severe morning sickness to complications that required hospitalization, the experience left me exhausted and anxious about the possibility of going through it again.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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