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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Boiled down in a cauldron using traditional methods, the sulfate-free formula bubbles up into a lovely lather that washes hands without stripping them (the glycerin, as well as coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, are to thank) and fills the room with its sophisticated, Provençal scents. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 After polishing, Stewart washes each piece with dish soap, rinses with lukewarm water, and dries immediately to prevent watermarks. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025 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
Stay away from creeks and washes! Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025 Schaupp highlights dark washes as fall-ready, balancing casual comfort with Parisian polish. Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025 The roomy, relaxed style just launched at Target in four washes, three lengths, and sizes 00 through 30. Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 Shop them in six washes, including a new black option. Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2025 The skin on your face and your scalp have the same pH, so the exfoliants in many face washes can also work well for your scalp. Essence, 24 Sep. 2025 The fabric is available in Good American’s best-selling washes and the brand new Good True Straight Jean, a fit with a slightly higher rise, wider straight leg and longer inseam. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025 Bedding Never make a habit of going too long between bedding washes. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes
Verb
  • Each composition bathes Cherry and Hero in lush hues that mirror their growing intimacy.
    Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Vikings’ equipment won’t return to the TCO Performance Center in full until Tuesday, after the team flies home.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Fiji Airways flies to several cities in the United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and Honolulu, connecting them to Fiji and beyond.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 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
  • Watering from above also wets the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases or powdery mildew on a mum's leaves.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The lightweight formula glides on with a refreshing tingle, then rinses away to reveal skin that feels softer, smoother, and more luminous.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Not with how much the Wild are banking on Kaprizov to be the straw that stirs the drink for the foreseeable future.
    Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
  • His arrival stirs faint whispers under the Song statues and quietly nudges Hongmei’s buried past toward the surface.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Along with the marshes and ecosystems in Tangier, Harp Falk says that homes and a way of life are being lost.
    Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Want some fun new snack options for exploring Huntington Beach State Park or kayaking through the marshes of Murrells Inlet?
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Adriana accuses Julia of that because that is the way Adriana works.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The feature currently works only on mobile devices for Pro tier subscribers, who pay $200 per month for access to OpenAI's most capable models.
    Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Washes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washes. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on washes

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!