washed-out 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwȯsht-ˈau̇t How to pronounce washed-out (audio)
Definition of washed-outnext
1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color washed-out blond hair

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

washed out

2 of 2

verb

past tense of wash out
1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in killed
to use up all the physical energy of that last illness washed the child out completely

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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

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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
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
Gregory, who has been billed as a run-stopper, was washed out of his gap a few times. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 Even Will Ferrell got washed out, tonsorially and qualitatively, in Netflix’s lifeless golfing comedy The Hawk. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 The robot’s filter basket was completely washed out and ready for the next cleaning cycle. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Any flash from the impact itself is expected to be washed out by the bright lunar surface. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 More broadly, momentum investors appeared washed out into the end of July, which prompted technical selling. — Alex Harring,sean Conlon,sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026 Residents in metro Atlanta and across North Georgia are picking up the pieces following an intense overnight thunderstorm that brought severe flash flooding, washed out roadways, and left thousands without power. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Torrential rains caused flash floods that swamped homes, washed out bridges and led to water rescues in West Virginia, authorities said. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 The final was postponed to Monday after heavy rain washed out Sunday’s play. — James Hansen, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
  1. faded
  2. tired
  3. collapsed
  4. bleached
  5. killed
  6. rinsed
  7. pale
  8. exhausted
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the Remarkably Bright Creatures star, 33, embraced a warmer approach, with off-white jeans and a faded blue shirt under a dark blue chore jacket.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Inside the homes, sunlight falls on faded posters, worn furniture, and an old radio by a window.
    — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of faded
Adjective
  • The new owners took over the keys to a tired and decaying club in the spring and have since overseen a summer renovation that has stretched from assembling a new first-team squad to restoring hot water to Hillsborough.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Despite all that staying power, glycerin and hyaluronic acid keep the full-coverage formula from feeling dry, while caffeine gives tired undereyes a brightening, de-puffing assist.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of tired
Verb
  • Although the market has adapted and prices have remained relatively low considering the historic supply shock during the war, that’s in large part because demand for oil collapsed and China drew down its massive oil stockpiles.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But he was forced to apologize after his plans to form a subsidiary to run the tournament, which would have opened the door for investors to buy stakes of up to ​20% in a spinout firm, collapsed after widespread backlash across the sport.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapsed
Verb
  • Inside, the scenery is far more elaborate than in its outdoor counterparts as there is no danger of it getting bleached by the sun or blowing away.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Their typically bright coral feathers were white, as if they had been bleached.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of bleached
Verb
  • In June, more than 30 people were killed when gunmen attacked the main airport in Niamey.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Two other people were killed in Indiana earlier this week during a powerful derecho.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of killed
Verb
  • The roller rotates constantly and gets rinsed with clean water, so the part touching the car always stays clean.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Once rinsed, transfer to a clean dish towel and gently pat them dry.
    — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of rinsed
Adjective
  • Still, all the traumas that informed the album pale in comparison to losing Snider in November 2025.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And all the colorways are so cute, from the pale blue and gray to the unexpected burgundy and violet combo.
    — Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • Ariel, a successful but exhausted writer, struggles to stay young and attractive while his younger wife drags him into a demanding social life, his five children treat him like a butler, and his elderly parents constantly demand his attention.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Yet despite all this effort, many high achievers report feeling mentally exhausted, creatively depleted and less productive than ever.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhausted

Browse Nearby Words

washed one's hands of
washed-out
washed out
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Cite this Entry

“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of washed-out for Spanish Speakers

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