WASHED OUT Synonyms: 260 Similar and Opposite Words

washed-out 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwȯsht-ˈau̇t

Definition of washed-out

as in faded

lacking intensity of color washed-out blond hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in collapsed

to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

Roads washed out, driving thousands of people from their homes. — Adam Burke, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026 Around Pagosa Springs, floodwaters have washed out roads and left residents isolated. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 That reframing matters because the shades that look promising in the tube often turn gray, chalky or washed out once applied. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026 In Sedona, floodwaters trapped several people in their homes, and heavy rain washed out part of a highway. — Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 The heavy rain washed out part of a main highway between Flagstaff and Sedona, mangling guard rails and littering the road with boulders and trees. — Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 If the weather is both hot and humid, the yellow staining can’t be washed out, forcing brands to dye the wool a darker color, affecting the final product design. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Galaxies, nebulas and other deep space objects become more detailed when they're not washed out by skyglow. — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026 In the bright sunlight of the room, the glossy screen was basically a mirror and was easily washed out when viewed at an angle. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out

Adjective

The offering will be promoted online with shots featuring Klein, both on her own and with Melillo, as well as a video where the longtime friends reminisce barefoot in faded jeans and, of course, white T-shirts.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Investigators described him as a white male in his late 50s, with a scruffy, gray beard who was wearing a faded blue baseball cap.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of faded

Adjective

On Housewives, story lines grow tired and repetitive, and attempts to shake up the dynamics inevitably fall flat as the show reverts back to a familiar staleness.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Even Trump’s biggest supporters are growing tired of the high prices that his war has caused.

— Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of tired

Verb

The original bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in March 2024 after a cargo ship lost power and struck it, killing six construction workers.

— CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Officials said the cleanup and repairs could take weeks or more in Pagosa Springs, where walkways and bridges collapsed or were heavily damaged.

— Brittany Peterson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of collapsed

Verb

The tech-dystopian Washington of Minority Report (2002) is bleached in cold blues and metallic noir shadows.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
Eco effort While over 80% of the reefs around the resort were bleached following the dramatic temperature rises of El Nino in 2016, the resort is throwing everything at its coral nursery and the green shoots are showing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of bleached

Verb

With a cooling, lightweight texture, the mask is pleasant to wear; even better, skin feels softer and smoother as soon as the 20-minute treatment is rinsed off.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
In a bowl or sink of standing water, anything rinsed off one item can float over to the next, while running water sends it down the drain.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of rinsed

Adjective

Madison’s Dior shoes went with a custom strapless Dior dress in shining shades of silver and pale gray.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
After a consultation with Marchetto, Garnett settled on adding a spattering of dark brown leather floral motifs, to complement the navy and pale blue check.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of pale

Adjective

McCarthy claimed the condition had compromised her body's ability to fight infections, leaving her physically and emotionally exhausted.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
After advancing to the Elite Eight last season for the first time under Ivey, the Irish lost their top six scorers behind Hidalgo, all but one to exhausted eligibility or professional basketball.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhausted

Browse Nearby Words

washed one's hands of

washed-out

washed out

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Style

“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of washed-out

adjective

verb

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