WASHES Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

washes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wash

as in bathes

to flow along or against crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches

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Relevance

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

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as in splashes

to flow in a broken irregular stream soapy water washing down the drain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wets

to make wet rain washed the countryside for days on end

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rinses

to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse washed the baby's hair

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as in stirs

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in

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washes

2 of 2

noun

plural of wash

as in marshes

spongy land saturated or partially covered with water an invasive species threatening the plants native to the region's washes

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of washes

Verb

Once the water is turned back on, the bread dissolves and simply washes through the plumbing system. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026 Brunello Cucinelli kept fits classic (straight legs, slight cuffs) and washes light. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 July 2026 The vacuum and mop combo is a hands-free robot that auto-empties dirt into a 3-liter bag, self-washes the mop rollers, and auto-refills the water chamber for the next cleaning session. — Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 In the video, backed by champagne synths and hopscotching snares, a tuxedoed Jaeychino strolls the beach in Margiela sneakers, his jacket flapping in the wind as seafoam washes ashore. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 After each print, the machine washes the leftover pigment from its gears, turning the once distinctly red and blue dyes into an oozing purple liquid. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026 Or take Doofy Gilmore (Dave Sheridan), a lisping dimwit geek who washes with his own spit. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 June 2026 Beaches are routinely left covered in trash that washes into the ocean, degrading habitat and threatening marine animals through ingestion and entanglement. — Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026 Rain typically washes pollen out of the air. — Keerti Gopal, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

Noun

Get your butt into the classic bottoms in this summery white shade or a range of additional washes. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 21 July 2026 The line is anchored by hardworking denim staples in three washes and co-branded trims. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 July 2026 The material doesn’t pill and has held up after countless washes. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 What Not to Use Soaps, detergents, bleach, or commercial produce washes should be avoided, according to the FDA. — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026 The capsule includes the Extra Baggy Jean (three washes) and the Low-Rise Loose Jean (three washes), with all six jeans including 1996 detailing and Hailey’s signature. — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 17 July 2026 This includes the following creeks, washes and rivers, Colorado River, Specter Chasm, Kanab Creek, Jumpup Canyon, Fossil Canyon, 140- Mile Canyon, Fishtail Canyon, Matkatamiba Canyon and Olo Canyon. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 July 2026 Tomatoes should be washed with cool tap water before eating, according to the USDA, and soap, detergent, or vegetable washes should not be used. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 17 July 2026 There’s no evidence that soaking food or dousing it with vinegar or commercial vegetable washes is enough to get rid of them. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes

Verb

Inside, indirect light bathes the alder-wood paneling in warmth and tranquility.

— Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
This mode activates extra horsepower, up to 94 bhp (70 kW), adds fake exhaust noise and bathes the interior in purple light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026

Definition of bathes

Verb

Across the street, the Llano River splashes its way over limestone formations and into reed thickets.

— Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Harry Kane splashes his face with ice water during a hydration break for a FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match on July 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

— Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of splashes

Verb

While dealing with an impending counterattack from Oda, Murashige finds that trouble stirs in his own courts as mysterious deaths, from a child prisoner to other officials, end up mysteriously murdered.

— Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 27 July 2026
Innovative Uranus stirs your 3rd House of Communication, trining transformative Pluto in your 11th House of Friends and Community.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Definition of stirs

Noun

During this time, bogs, marshes, and other wetlands, historically seen as disease-ridden and deleterious to human health, were reevaluated by scientists and conservationists as valuable wildlife habitats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
When the boat leaves the shallow saw grass marshes for a 90-foot-deep natural sinkhole called Gator Lake, get your camera ready.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026