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
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
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
Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
That's because the odor is washed out in the rinse cycle, leaving behind only the benefits of adding it to the wash.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Let’s hope they get washed out in the semifinals next week.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The section is at risk during a major flooding event, so this will stop the road from being washed out.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
But that’s all washed out if Carolina wins on Saturday.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Summer nights, by contrast, tend to hang onto humidity, leaving the sky hazy and washed out.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2026
In San Bernardino County’s Lytle Creek, where last week’s rain washed out a road near the area’s only bridge, leaving roughly 250 residents struggling to enter or leave their neighborhood, a temporary dirt road was constructed.
—Ryanne Mena, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
Munising Falls, just east of the city, remains closed to visitors, according to the NPS website, after spring rains washed out more than 75 feet of the trail.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
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
And while a talented photographer can work wonders, even the best can’t outshoot a schedule that’s too tight or work literal color-correcting magic on photos washed out by the blazing sun.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
That's because the odor is washed out in the rinse cycle, leaving behind only the benefits of adding it to the wash.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Let’s hope they get washed out in the semifinals next week.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The section is at risk during a major flooding event, so this will stop the road from being washed out.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
But that’s all washed out if Carolina wins on Saturday.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Summer nights, by contrast, tend to hang onto humidity, leaving the sky hazy and washed out.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2026
In San Bernardino County’s Lytle Creek, where last week’s rain washed out a road near the area’s only bridge, leaving roughly 250 residents struggling to enter or leave their neighborhood, a temporary dirt road was constructed.
—Ryanne Mena, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
Munising Falls, just east of the city, remains closed to visitors, according to the NPS website, after spring rains washed out more than 75 feet of the trail.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to extend his boxing career toward an Olympic appearance at 45 ran into age‑limit rules and concerns about the optics and health risks of watching a faded great take more punishment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The latter sees a faded star eyeing a possible comeback and encountering all sorts of ghosts from his past.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While a few icons have grown tired (like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Eden Roc Miami Beach, missing from this list), several have recently poured money into renovations, including the Mayfair House and Gardens; Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, which just reopened; and the Delano Miami.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Bell remembered during the Stars on Ice tour in 2022 when the skaters rolled into a new city, tired, groggy and sore from the long bus ride, Liu, dressed in a baggy hoodie and billowing sweatpants, could go on the ice and throw perfect jumps without warning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The front porch had also collapsed on the two-story, multi-family building.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even better, Liu does it all while flaunting her signature bleached halo-dye hairstyle and smiley piercing.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The new ad from the appliance retailer peeks into an alternate reality in which Fieri never grew a goatee, never bleached his spikes, and wore drab button-ups and dress slacks.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But seething popular anger has not abated in the weeks following a government crackdown that killed thousands of protesters, according to accounts from inside the country.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Silas, 29, and Tishauna Ballard, 24, were killed; two others were injured.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Emptied and rinsed aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and cardboard boxes from the week’s meals usually pile up quickly, but what about the pizza box from last night’s dinner or the takeout containers from lunch?—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Most of the time, hair glosses take the form of a treatment or a mask that's applied to the hair for a certain amount of minutes and then rinsed out.—
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The As Ever founder styled herself simply with a gold circular choker and matching bracelet, with a pale pink manicure and her dark brunette hair lightly waved.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In the photo, Harry held Lilibet who wore a pale pink skirt and top and held red balloons.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But on the day the deal closed last week, Esnard sounded less jubilant and more exhausted.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Marc Maron, who helmed his engaging and transgressive interview show WTF for 13 years, is a Jersey Boy who sounds plaintive and exhausted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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