washes 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of wash
1
as in bathes
to flow along or against crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches

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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

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3
4
5
6
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
Environmental groups support paying farmers to leave flood-prone land because floodwater that spreads across farm fields washes fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals into rivers, causing a range of down-river harms. Molly Parker, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025 The base then washes the mop with heated water that gradually increases in temperature from 104 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit to specifically target and remove different kinds of dirt and grime. PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025 The machine also washes and dries the brush around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025 Since relatively little lives or grows in their caves, the fish are likely surviving on a meager diet of mostly bat feces and organic waste that washes in during the rainy season. ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
Choose from a variety of washes and four inseam lengths. Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025 Avoid low-lying washes and underpasses. Staff Reports, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The hero style is a 100 percent cotton palazzo jean available in mid-blue and almost black washes. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025 Straight Jean, now crafted in vintage and deep indigo washes. Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025 Similarly, within days of each other, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston, and Courteney Cox all layered up in denim jackets, which have also been a celeb go-to for years in various washes, lengths, and silhouettes. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The road’s hairpin turns and gravelly washes mean slow going; the trip from Marfa to Chinati Hot Springs will likely take around two hours. Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes
Verb
  • At altitudes of 20 to 100 kilometers (12 to 62 miles), the DF-17 flies below the reach of most midcourse missile defence systems, which usually operate above 100 kilometers (62 miles).
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
  • China views President Lai as a campaigner for Taiwanese independence, a stance that flies in the face of Beijing's belief that Taiwan should be under its control.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Coppola splashes the screen with kaleidoscopic clips and a collage-like energy to show off their genius.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Art reigns at the Prado (home to Velázquez and Goya) and the Reina Sofía—where Picasso’s Guernica stirs the soul—but Madrid’s heartbeat is felt in the fierce rhythm of flamenco and the roar of Real Madrid fans at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In Gemini, Uranus stirs the mind like a kaleidoscope of flashing insights and alternative solutions.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And like another great public land whitetail hunter, Dan Infalt, Simpson loves to target cattail marshes and wetlands.
    Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Between our pristine coasts, dense forests, rolling plains, and ethereal wetlands and marshes, the South is a region rich in natural beauty.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Eliécer Camacho Jiménez, former general of the Colombian National Police (the organization that works closely with the DEA on combatting drug trafficking in Colombia), told me there are growing divisions within Maduro's circles.
    Kristina Foltz, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • That people might be falling for the Minneapolis shooter’s scribblings and raging at each other over potential motivations is likely thrilling to potential copycat killers—proof that the troll still works.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Although Ipswich ended up relegated from the Premier League, Enciso’s spell there hinted at the productivity which intermittently bubbles above the surface.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • What bubbles there is one of the many aquatic wonders that make Hot Springs a legendary waterfront town.
    Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plants will slowly die with yellowing foliage as water builds up in the container and drowns the roots.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
  • But rather than capturing the madness of the era, Lee drowns in sub-Scorsese excess, confusing saying a lot of things bluntly with saying something meaningful.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Its self-cleaning cycle flushes the dirty water tank and removes debris from the vacuum brush.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • There’s also a hands-free, self-cleaning function that automatically flushes the tubing and brush roller.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Washes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washes. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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