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
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
On the smallest scales, structure gets washed out, while on larger scales, structure takes a long time to form, as larger scales plus the finite speed of gravity translate into longer timescales for collapse.
—Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Because of a bright waning gibbous moon on that night, many fainter meteors will be washed out, particularly in the northern latitudes.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Over-micing of the looming Tim the Enchanter, against a psychedelic overboil of bright, surreal colorings on the screens, washed out much of the scene below.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Now, as crypto enters yet another winter, with token prices plummeting and excitement washed out by AI hype, Dragonfly is announcing its fourth fund, a $650 million vehicle.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 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
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
Rain impacted multiple Australian GPs in Adelaide, and the 1991 edition was one of the shortest F1 races in history, lasting just a touch over 24 minutes before getting washed out.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
On the smallest scales, structure gets washed out, while on larger scales, structure takes a long time to form, as larger scales plus the finite speed of gravity translate into longer timescales for collapse.
—Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Because of a bright waning gibbous moon on that night, many fainter meteors will be washed out, particularly in the northern latitudes.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Over-micing of the looming Tim the Enchanter, against a psychedelic overboil of bright, surreal colorings on the screens, washed out much of the scene below.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Now, as crypto enters yet another winter, with token prices plummeting and excitement washed out by AI hype, Dragonfly is announcing its fourth fund, a $650 million vehicle.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Groom indoor plants to remove yellowing leaves and faded blooms.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Before the third siren at seven o’clock Chitol parked his bicycle alongside hundreds of others like it, his identified by a faded yellow piece of his wife’s old sari around the handlebars, which doubled as a duster.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Simmons said Tarrant families are tired of O’Hare’s bullying, silencing and antics.—
Rachel Royster
March 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His poor metrics are the result of the Panthers looking tired and worn down in front of him, and Bobrovsky not being consistently at his absolute best.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The city agency said the home collapsed during the incident and that the individual was found dead in the structure after crews extinguished the flames.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But her personal and professional life collapsed amid legal troubles and reports of partying, substance abuse and unreliable behavior.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Egg cartons made with recycled paper could be bleached or potentially contain contaminants, depending on the origins of the paper.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The combination of white quartz and bleached ash wood make this a piece that will brighten up even windowless bathrooms.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Mexican army killed Oseguera Cervantes just over a week ago while attempting to capture him.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Amplifying the chaos were questions over who will replace Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late leader, who was killed in the aerial barrage over the weekend.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Room temperature thawing shouldn’t occur, much less in the wash sink of the triple sink — especially since someone washed dishes in the rinse sink and a third person washed and rinsed a wiping cloth.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Stir 1½ cups French green lentils, picked through, rinsed, and 2 Tbsp.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Gosling begins singing about the pale blue dot and his new movie — but the camera keeps panning away, selecting Harry!—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Fruit Salad To keep things chic and simple, opt for a neutral base and ask for cherry, strawberry, orange, and blueberry designs in muted shades, with pale green stems to keep the look fun but not too outré.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Players and snaps added or lost are via the portal only (numbers do not include players lost due to exhausted eligibility or draft declarations).—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Each diagnosis brings its own set of decisions, procedures and treatments that quite frankly leave me feeling physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.—
L'Oreal Thompson Payton,
SELF,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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