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
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
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
-
Her long blond ends drew a stark contrast to her faded brown roots, which were parted down the middle and brushed up in the back.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
There isn’t an obvious replacement, but fans are tired and want something else.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Her recipe is simple, elegant, and designed to keep the party going without anyone leaving jittery or tired.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That night the telegraph network near London collapsed while an aurora lit up the sky.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
After leading 18-14 at halftime, the Tigers collapsed in the second half, getting outscored 21-0 in the third quarter and 28-7 overall after the break, ultimately falling 49-25 — a loss that will likely knock them out of the AP Top 25 rankings.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jones found more than 95% of this species bleached in their survey area.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Diesel also showed denim bleached from the inside out, creating an x-ray effect on the garment.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The model wore two looks that night, including an eye-turning pink two-piece lingerie set with a sparkly bustier and lacy boy briefs.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Styled by Soki Mak, Kardashian also wore layers of silver cross pendants and chains as seen on the runway.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Stop Sale on the orange juice, the other oranges got washed and the orange juice machine got washed, rinsed and sanitized.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
It's rinsed, dried, and placed in a roasting pan.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The fruit’s pale, glossy surface already gives it that eerie eyeball effect.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The floors were made of pale gray wood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The traditional growth playbook for telecom is exhausted.—
Astha Bhardwaj,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share