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
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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
Adam Duxter, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Stockman recommends reseeding, at least in the spots that got washed out.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
What to do with insurance, home, car In the Deer Lake area, about 20 minutes away from Amasa, multiple roads washed out, by the description of the officials.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 26 Apr. 2026
While child stars come and go, washed out at 15 and forgotten at 20, Michael has withstood intense exposure for eight years—a remarkable feat for any performer.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
The plant’s leaf segments look washed out, pale green or yellowish.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Its functionality and small stature play to your aesthetic’s strengths rather than making the room look washed out or cluttered.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 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
There are roads in the Superior National Forest that have been closed and washed out this week due to the conditions.
—Adam Duxter, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Stockman recommends reseeding, at least in the spots that got washed out.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
What to do with insurance, home, car In the Deer Lake area, about 20 minutes away from Amasa, multiple roads washed out, by the description of the officials.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 26 Apr. 2026
While child stars come and go, washed out at 15 and forgotten at 20, Michael has withstood intense exposure for eight years—a remarkable feat for any performer.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
The plant’s leaf segments look washed out, pale green or yellowish.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Its functionality and small stature play to your aesthetic’s strengths rather than making the room look washed out or cluttered.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Jenner opted to wear a pair of faded yellow jeans, a Guizio white tank top and a belly chain.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For homeowners tired of robotic mowers that demand nearly as much effort as traditional ones, the K1 is a genuine upgrade.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Susan Collins is an anemic and tired candidate.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His 69-year-old wife was transferred to South Africa at the same time but collapsed at a Johannesburg airport and died at a nearby hospital, the South African Department of Health said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
-
His wife later collapsed and died at Johannesburg’s international airport while attempting to return home.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Fake plants and outdoor rugs tend to look worn and sun-bleached very quickly.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
-
However, it should be noted that down should not be bleached or washed with fabric softener.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The owners of an apartment building in Manhattan where three people were killed in a fast-moving fire early Monday are being sued by the city for neglecting fire hazards at a neighboring property, court documents show.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Mohamed Soliman, 46, faces 184 charges in Boulder County District Court in connection with the June 1 attack that killed one woman and injured 29 others.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Once the glass is rinsed, take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe it down in gentle, vertical strokes.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The tongs used to pull hot dogs and taquitos off the eternally turning roller grill didn’t get washed, rinsed and sanitized when in use for four hours.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pale tortilla was dappled with shades of brown, toasty and tawny—simplicity, done superlatively.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
Each Trader Joe’s Potted Multi-Bloom Hydrangea comes with several fluffy blooms, ranging in color from pale blue to pink or purple.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
One of these supply sources will become exhausted as the conflict goes on, Woods said.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
Now, that funding is exhausted.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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