1
2
as in flies
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashes
to flow in a broken irregular stream
soapy water washing down the drain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wets
to make wet
rain washed the countryside for days on end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in marshes
spongy land saturated or partially covered with water
an invasive species threatening the plants native to the region's washes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washes
Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
Neither washes his hands in the kitchen.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Its funky mysteries flicker in my brain until the perilla sorbet a couple of courses later washes it away.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Her animatronic post-World War II body repetitively washes clothes day in and day out, high above the passing cars near the intersection of Vista Avenue and Overland Road.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
This belt bag makes a nice stocking stuffer, while this cotton T-shirt from Lands’ End is made of silky-soft Supima that washes well, per shoppers.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Another agreed, comparing them to their Spanx AirEssentials set, but saying this one washes better.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
To start with a wedding, then wait ’til later to figure out the details of who washes the dishes and whether the toilet seat stays down, sounds backwards but is certainly better than hostage-taking and war without an achievable end.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
Its Ozmo roller mop washes itself with hot water and dries with heated air.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Wash Brand-New Clothing Separately At First Arthuza Rabelo, a professional cleaner with Cleanzen Cleaning Services, pointed out that new clothes often bleed dye in the first few washes—not a machine-destroyer in this case, but a very real way to ruin other laundry fast.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
The men’s denim offering featured a number of different fits and washes, ranging from slim straight, which can accommodate a boot, in both heritage and stretch models as well as a stretch twill, and a modern boot cut.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Snag it in eight washes while it’s still marked down.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Spot cleaning helps keep your pillow looking and smelling fresh between full washes.
—Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026
The straps are adjustable, and the material still looked like new after many washes.
—Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Cue the ’80s, a decade defined by exaggerated silhouettes, statement washes, and hybrid designs.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
These fan-favorite Levi’s Jeans are now less than $55, and are available in a variety of washes, including light, white, and dark.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Simply hold the brush in place, and sit back as the machine thoroughly washes and dries your bristles within thirty seconds.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
Neither washes his hands in the kitchen.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Its funky mysteries flicker in my brain until the perilla sorbet a couple of courses later washes it away.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Her animatronic post-World War II body repetitively washes clothes day in and day out, high above the passing cars near the intersection of Vista Avenue and Overland Road.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
This belt bag makes a nice stocking stuffer, while this cotton T-shirt from Lands’ End is made of silky-soft Supima that washes well, per shoppers.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Another agreed, comparing them to their Spanx AirEssentials set, but saying this one washes better.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
To start with a wedding, then wait ’til later to figure out the details of who washes the dishes and whether the toilet seat stays down, sounds backwards but is certainly better than hostage-taking and war without an achievable end.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
Its Ozmo roller mop washes itself with hot water and dries with heated air.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
That means swapping out face washes with active ingredients for a gentle cleanser.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Wash Brand-New Clothing Separately At First Arthuza Rabelo, a professional cleaner with Cleanzen Cleaning Services, pointed out that new clothes often bleed dye in the first few washes—not a machine-destroyer in this case, but a very real way to ruin other laundry fast.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
The men’s denim offering featured a number of different fits and washes, ranging from slim straight, which can accommodate a boot, in both heritage and stretch models as well as a stretch twill, and a modern boot cut.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Snag it in eight washes while it’s still marked down.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Spot cleaning helps keep your pillow looking and smelling fresh between full washes.
—Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026
The straps are adjustable, and the material still looked like new after many washes.
—Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Cue the ’80s, a decade defined by exaggerated silhouettes, statement washes, and hybrid designs.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
These fan-favorite Levi’s Jeans are now less than $55, and are available in a variety of washes, including light, white, and dark.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes
Verb
-
In the wilderness, to a strummy, whistling score, Dunk bathes in a stream and beats his clothes against a rock.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The atrium bathes the interior in sunlight, while fun wallpaper, warm millwork, and an abundance of texture pay homage to the past.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
One area that flies under the AI radar of most consumers is the processing of audio content.—
Karl Freund,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.—
Noosheen Hashemi,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Effective medical alert devices must be in good working condition when a shower, rain, or accidental submersion splashes them.—
Craig Lebrau,
USA Today,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Eddie then opens the paint can, splashes it onto the graffiti, and gets into an argument with the store security guard for making a mess in the parking lot.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sweat that can’t escape wets a jacket’s layer of insulation and accelerates heat loss.—
Longji Cui,
The Conversation,
26 Dec. 2025
-
But the comedy is absolutely something that wets my beak, I'm drawn to it.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pH-balanced formula effectively lifts away makeup, bacteria, and daily buildup, then rinses off easily without leaving residue behind.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Paul Mescal stirs as the Bard, complete with an earring, but his co-star Buckley breathes heart-wrenching life into Hamnet.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Your 4th House of Family gets busy as information-gathering Mercury stirs plans, while auspicious Jupiter highlights your 10th House of Accomplishments.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those windmills stood on mud and marshes amid samphire and pink thrift flowers, the only warm glow around our house.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Then look to the beach to spot shorebirds such as seagulls and pelicans, while the marshes on the island’s backside are frequented by herons, egrets, and ibis.—
Kristy Christiansen,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But that’s not how state terror works.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washes. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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