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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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
In the good old days, that boy's mouth would have been washed out with soap.
—Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 12 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
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
In the good old days, that boy's mouth would have been washed out with soap.
—Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, her glam was soft and even-toned, bolstered only by a sharp baby wing of black liner, highlight on her nose and a faded taupe hue on her lips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Each of the 22 pages, about the size of those in a typical hardcover book, is inscribed on both sides with easily visible black and faded-brown words written by the monks.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Plush cushioning on the insoles relieves tired feet during the day, making these comfortable enough to wear for hours.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some people are probably tired of hearing my name.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Photo by Anne Arundel County Fire Department In Harford County, crews rescued four cows, a bull and a horse after a barn collapsed.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sutton said Minneapolis policing has collapsed since the 2020 unrest, noting the city is authorized for about 900 officers but now has roughly 550, with only around 265 patrol officers available to police the entire city.—
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Just as those revolutionary murals have sun-bleached and blistered, so the heady jubilation of the students’ victory has become tarnished by infighting and division.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Whether hair is bleached, color treated, or frequently heat styled, this formula aims to minimize breakage, reduce frizz, and smooth the appearance of split ends for a healthier-looking finish.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two days shy of the one-year anniversary of a tragedy that killed 67 people near the nation’s capital, the National Transportation Safety Board will meet to determine the probable cause of the midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The fire killed two people, destroyed 1,084 homes and businesses and did more than $2 billion in property damage.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some formulas can be left on for a couple of hours up to overnight and rinsed off in the morning.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Any obvious surface dirt can be rinsed under cold water before storing but there is no need to wash them thoroughly—and be sure to thoroughly dry the leeks before storing.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Egg yolks can range in color from pale yellow to deep orange.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Think pale hues with a sober gray tint or tranquil neutrals.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What is rarely quantified, however, is the ways in which extended family—like aunties—often supplement what may be otherwise lacking, limited or exhausted.—
Ashley Simpo,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Near the end of the movie, there’s a heavy sense of dread—everyone feels hopeless, and exhausted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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