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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of washes
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
Unlike on Earth, however, where rain washes dust from the air, Martian dust can linger for months.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
According to Energy Star, the average American family washes approximately 300 loads of laundry annually.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
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
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 machine also washes and dries the brush around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Some clothing may be pretreated with permethrin and deter mosquitoes for up to 20 washes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
The pants come in both medium and light washes, sizes ranging from XS to XL, and the 28-inch inseam is suitable for petite shoppers.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The mop self-washes with hot water every cycle, not cold, and the Triple Lift system automatically lifts the mop off carpet so your rugs stay dry while hard floors get the full vacuum-plus-mop treatment in one run.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
The Calvin Klein Jeans Spring 2024 collection features updated denim pieces with new fits and versatile washes.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
The body washes are accompanied by a full range of matching products including body scrubs, hand washes and deodorants available for a limited time at Walmart and select retailers.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
But when the woman takes it home and hand-washes it, strange things happen.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
To reduce wear on your bed sheets, consider using hot water every few washes if possible.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Unlike on Earth, however, where rain washes dust from the air, Martian dust can linger for months.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
According to Energy Star, the average American family washes approximately 300 loads of laundry annually.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
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
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 machine also washes and dries the brush around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
At the time of the launch, the lineup included all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, hand washes, hand cream and candles, much of which was Made in Italy.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Some clothing may be pretreated with permethrin and deter mosquitoes for up to 20 washes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
The pants come in both medium and light washes, sizes ranging from XS to XL, and the 28-inch inseam is suitable for petite shoppers.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The mop self-washes with hot water every cycle, not cold, and the Triple Lift system automatically lifts the mop off carpet so your rugs stay dry while hard floors get the full vacuum-plus-mop treatment in one run.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
The Calvin Klein Jeans Spring 2024 collection features updated denim pieces with new fits and versatile washes.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
The body washes are accompanied by a full range of matching products including body scrubs, hand washes and deodorants available for a limited time at Walmart and select retailers.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
But when the woman takes it home and hand-washes it, strange things happen.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
To reduce wear on your bed sheets, consider using hot water every few washes if possible.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes
Verb
-
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
-
Cinematographer Nicole Hirsch Whitaker bathes the images in warm lighting, calling to mind the work of Darius Khondji or Bruno Delbonnel.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
So instead, to keep costs down and power up, the Starcloud satellite flies what is known as a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, circling the planet at a near vertical 83° angle that carries it over the poles and keeps it almost constantly exposed to the sun.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Across the canyon, flames leapt up the Paseo Miramar trail, still two miles away as the crow flies, but already too close to ignore.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then Oliver splashes his blameless girlfriend in the face, and the three men flee, chased by a group of enraged barflies.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Reed landed multiple Tsunami splashes on Reigns, who was stretchered out of the arena.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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
-
January stirs something brave inside you, urging you to release the tired logic that kept you safe but stagnant.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Not an easy topic, and certainly one that stirs emotion today.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
1 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
-
These Hokas are the rare travel shoe that works across all ages, activity levels, and destinations.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The company works closely with mental health professionals to ensure its technology aligns with clinical practice rather than replacing it.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washes. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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