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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
In the good old days, that boy’s mouth would have been washed out with soap.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Foot bridges will be washed out in Supai Campground.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The storm flooded creeks, toppled trees and washed out roads, especially in Cataloochee Valley, where all trails became impassable.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2025
Armani stayed seamlessly on topic, but at the same time aimed to stage-direct the shoot to avoid looking washed out against the bright sunlight.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
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
The California Department of Transportation said in a statement that flash floods washed out multiple sections of State Route 38 in the San Bernardino Mountains west of Big Bear Lake.
—Dennis Romero, NBC 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
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
In the good old days, that boy's mouth would have been washed out with soap.
—Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
In the good old days, that boy’s mouth would have been washed out with soap.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Foot bridges will be washed out in Supai Campground.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The storm flooded creeks, toppled trees and washed out roads, especially in Cataloochee Valley, where all trails became impassable.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2025
Armani stayed seamlessly on topic, but at the same time aimed to stage-direct the shoot to avoid looking washed out against the bright sunlight.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
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
The California Department of Transportation said in a statement that flash floods washed out multiple sections of State Route 38 in the San Bernardino Mountains west of Big Bear Lake.
—Dennis Romero, NBC 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
The faded colors and distressed pattern give the rug an always-been-here feel and lend a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to the space.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
-
But as cars streamed into the park’s entrance off the Rickenbacker Causeway, many visitors were met by protesters urging them not to spend another dime at the faded South Florida tourist attraction.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Bradley said that, from the Chamber’s perspective, employers are sick and tired of scrounging for talent.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Also, two barns and one home were reportedly struck by lightning in Rogersville, Missouri, which started a small fire on the barn and partially collapsed the porch of the home.—
Shawnie Caslin Martucci,
ABC News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Some stars collapsed to the sea floor, dissolved into piles of goo.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Diesel also showed denim bleached from the inside out, creating an x-ray effect on the garment.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The photo was too sun-bleached to discern much else, but there was an e-mail address and a WhatsApp number to contact if anyone found her.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ashley Graham Ashley Graham wore a black two-piece, paired with black open-toed heels and black angel wings while appearing on the catwalk.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Lee wore a red polo shirt and an old-school New York Giants cap (repping the baseball team, not the football team).—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It's rinsed, dried, and placed in a roasting pan.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Once rinsed with water, skin remains soft and smooth.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Ratty pale jeans, band T-shirt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Still, the Ottoman-style architecture and the pale pink of a nearby Orthodox church distinguish ski towns and resorts like Brezovica and Jahorina.—
Naomi Tomky,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Which, it should be pointed out, had to be fairly exhausted at that point.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Outside the courthouse following his victory, Sussman sounded exhausted.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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