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
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
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
ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
After rain washed out Saturday’s game — setting up only the Cubs’ second doubleheader against an American League team (2014 against the New York Yankees) — the cold conditions with a wind chill in the 30s didn’t create an ideal hitting environment Sunday.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Troubles with water mounted over the years, so much so that their driveway once was washed out and their septic system destroyed, after an uphill neighbor cut down dozens of mature trees.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Three others quickly washed out of the NBA.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Floodwaters washed out homes, damaged roads, submerged vehicles and threatened a major dam in northern Oahu over the weekend.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Too cool and you can look washed out.
—Bianca London, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Economists generally have calculated that whatever economic growth could be ascribed to the change would be washed out by the revenue loss from inflation-indexing only new purchases, and utterly swamped by the cost of indexing all holdings, past and future.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
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
Verb
The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
After rain washed out Saturday’s game — setting up only the Cubs’ second doubleheader against an American League team (2014 against the New York Yankees) — the cold conditions with a wind chill in the 30s didn’t create an ideal hitting environment Sunday.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Troubles with water mounted over the years, so much so that their driveway once was washed out and their septic system destroyed, after an uphill neighbor cut down dozens of mature trees.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Three others quickly washed out of the NBA.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Floodwaters washed out homes, damaged roads, submerged vehicles and threatened a major dam in northern Oahu over the weekend.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Too cool and you can look washed out.
—Bianca London, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Economists generally have calculated that whatever economic growth could be ascribed to the change would be washed out by the revenue loss from inflation-indexing only new purchases, and utterly swamped by the cost of indexing all holdings, past and future.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
If your current set is thin, faded or fraying, spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to replace them.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Deadheading faded blooms encourages new flowerheads.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Music lovers tired of paying hundreds of dollars to see big-name acts may be getting some relief.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ten shots rang out, and Garrison collapsed on the floor, dead.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The bodies of two workers trapped when a stairwell roof collapsed at a parking garage under construction in Philadelphia have been found, authorities announced Monday morning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wet grass is susceptible to fungal infections like rust disease, dollar spot, and red thread, which can cause bleached or dead grass or orange spots on individual blades of grass.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Some vignettes had the grainy shading of excessive toner powder, while others were bleached out.—
Katherine Rochester,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Five of the eight people arrested in connection with last year's Esparto explosion, which killed seven men, were arraigned in Yolo County court on Monday.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
In 2017, Judith organized a group of surviving twins to gather in Jerusalem, where a plaque was unveiled in honor of the twin children who were killed.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bristles of a scrub brush travel across a surface to dislodge dirt and grime so it can be rinsed away.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The formula can be rinsed off like a traditional cleanser or wiped away for improved hydration.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Once on the festival grounds, Kylie wore a ruffled, open front white Ann Demeulemeester top, paired with Levi’s 94 baggy jeans in a pale blue wash, Staud Freja leather thong sandals, a Chrome Hearts white gold belly chain, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Blank Street’s roots trace back to 2020, when co-founders Freiha and Vinay Menda began selling coffee out of a pale-green coffee cart in the Williamsburg neighborhood of New York City.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Households would receive a maximum credit of $5,000 per year until all funds are exhausted.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
If there is a post-Games deficit the city is responsible for the first $270 million after the $270 million LA28 contingency fund is exhausted.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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