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
-
When deadheading, cut where the blossom's stem joins the rest of the plant—in other words, remove not only the faded flower, but the tiny stem attached to it as well.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
-
Next to the dog, a faded print of Big Ben, and a commemorative plate with the late Queen Elizabeth II smiling from nine different decades.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Satonica credited Burse with reviving Grady’s professional governance, noticing tired nurses and overwhelmed leaders.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
-
Gee, can't imagine why fans were tired of Mark Hamill towards the end!—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Some officers were killed in the exchange of fire, while others died after part of the building collapsed, according to local police.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 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
-
Once troopers arrived, Williams raised the firearm and pointed it toward police before Blanchette shot and killed her, the report said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Israeli attacks have killed nearly four hundred people since April 16th and Israel’s forces have continued to destroy villages and consolidate territorial gains in southern Lebanon.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
This Dawn dish spray does not require scrubbing and only needs to be rinsed after application.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
All German Pilsner malt, super soft water profile like that in a Czech pale lager, and 100% US-grown hops with a touch of flaked corn.—
Blaine Callahan,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Gwyneth, for one, wore a red collared jacket over a pale blue cotton maxi dress, styled with red sandals and black Wayfarers.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
But Butcher spent much of season four confined to a hospital bed, and as the season neared its end, Urban wasn’t exhausted.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
Maxey has looked exhausted in the first two games of the series and scored just five points in the second half after scoring 19 in the game’s first 24 minutes.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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