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

Tatcha’s creamy cleanser gently washes the day away with an amino acid base, while Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid deeply nourish the skin and replenish its water reserve. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 My mom, sister, colleagues, and best friends are all hooked on the comfy-chic pair that washes well, fits like a dream, and looks incredible. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 28 Oct. 2026 Her absence turned silence is a form of communication, one that symbolically washes her hands of culpability. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 On the traditional-spa side, a JetPeel facial using Augustinus Bader products essentially pressure-washes my skin with nutrient-rich serums. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026 Continue reading … CREATOR'S REMORSE — TV legend Oprah washes her hands of any association with Dr Phil or Dr Oz. — FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Griffin diligently washes his hands after his dogs lick them, especially before picking up a slice of pizza. — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 Rain often washes those chemicals and fertilizers into nearby rivers and streams. — Jayash Paudel, The Conversation, 29 July 2026 Once the water is turned back on, the bread dissolves and simply washes through the plumbing system. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Noun

With a base station that empties the vacuum's dustbin and washes and dries the mop, the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai requires very little hands-on maintenance. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026 Runways at Gucci, Proenza Schouler, and Valentino sealed the deal with a palette that ranged from deep denim smoky eyes to soft washes of baby blue. — Loren Savini, Allure, 6 Nov. 2026 For everyday food safety, Taylor recommends skipping both homemade mixtures and commercial washes. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026 Skip soap, detergent, produce washes and homemade solutions for everyday food safety. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026 The material is machine washable, and one shopper said this dress has kept its shape through multiple washes. — Abby Hepworth, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2026 While the style is now available in a range of washes, nothing beats the timeless appeal of medium blue. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 The buttery-soft bamboo fabric feels breathable all night and has held up beautifully through plenty of washes. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026 Screen still works after 50 washes In terms of functionality, the touchscreen clothing is admittedly closer to early smartphones than a newer device like the iPhone Duo. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes

Verb

On cloudless days, sunlight bathes the upper levels, giving the wood flourishes a warm glow.

— Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026
The cinematography captures the lush expanse of the desert and bathes the characters in dark blues while never leaving the frame murky, and the use of steadicam and exaggerated zoom-ins plants the film’s feet more firmly in its ’80s inspirations.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of bathes

Verb

The next big test will be the demonstration flight of a Long March 10A rocket, which flies with a single core booster, and China’s new Mengzhou Moon ship to low-Earth orbit in early 2027.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
But in a town of heavyweight food and beverage brands from Chick-fil-A to Coca-Cola, Chicken Salad Chick still flies a bit under the radar, said its chief executive.

— Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of flies

Verb

Selena is offended, and splashes him with the liquid, which burns and kills him.

— William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
In this photograph snapped by astronomer José Rodrigues, the Milky Way splashes across the night sky above two telescopes at ESO's La Silla Observatory.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of splashes

Verb

Per a guide from Nectr, saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients, and how much is actually absorbed depends on the formulation and how the pouch is used.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
Saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients between the lip and gum, according to Nectr.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of wets

Verb

Because the pigment sits inside the skin instead of on top of it, this isn’t the same as a swipe of freckle pen that rinses off at night.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Plus, its self-cleaning function rinses the brushroll after each use and dumps the debris into the dirt tank.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of rinses

Verb

Skeleton Tree at Rumi’s Kitchen Perfect for the midnight cocktail hour, Rumi’s stirs together a black Manhattan with Persian spice.

— Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Watching polygamous families, Surya says, stirs pity, judgment and empathy in her, as well as fascination with the camaraderie, rivalry and sisterhood between the women.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of stirs

Verb

The Government Accountability Office has highlighted these challenges as the Air Force works toward replacing its aging ICBM fleet.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
The Democrat is running for Precinct 2 commissioner to create a government that works for everyday people, prioritizing lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026