WASHING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

washing

verb

Definition of washing

present participle of wash

as in bathing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in flying

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

as in splashing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wetting

to make wet rain washed the countryside for days on end

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rinsing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in stirring

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

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 washing Walls around the three-sinks are dirty in the ware-washing area. — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026 Meals start with a server ritualistically washing your hands with rose water. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 An employee also rinsed off their hands at the sprayer for the dish machine as a means of washing their hands. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 Someone else touched a cellphone, then went back to handling food without changing gloves or washing hands. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Americans aren't only paying more for food amid stubbornly high inflation — the cost of washing it down has also surged. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The facility lacked sanitizer and dishes were not sanitized after washing with soap. — Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 For some, that means washing one or two times a week compared to the UK or US, where 41% of people wash upwards of three times a week, with 21% washing their hair every other day. — Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 But while fall may (eventually) bring cooler nights, that doesn’t mean our normal weekly cleaning practices should fall by the wayside, like washing our sheets. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing

Verb

Harvard Health recommends bathing regularly, using a high-quality deodorant or antiperspirant, staying hydrated to offset fluid loss from sweating and talking to a doctor if a strange new scent lingers.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Like the moon during a solar eclipse, the asteroid casts a predictable moving shadow on a swath of Earth’s surface—a small silhouette in the dim light bathing us from that one star.

— David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of bathing

Verb

Almost all of the birds on Palmyra Atoll rely on the ocean, flying out to sea daily to feed on fish or squid, bringing some back for their young.

— Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Six Flags Great Adventure via Facebook While riding Nitro, riders can see the Philadelphia skyline for a glimpse before flying down a 215-foot drop.

— Nikki DeMentri, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

The emotional landscape is heightened by birdcalls, splashing waves, and trees thrashing in the wind.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Platt shot cellphone video showing ferocious waves spilling over the promenade along East Brigantine Avenue on Saturday, pushing two bike racks aside and splashing Mayor Vince Sera.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of splashing

Verb

Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.

— Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of wetting

Verb

On that note, another common mistake is not rinsing hair conditioner thoroughly enough once you’re done.

— Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2026
Previous strategies for growing plants on Mars included rinsing these poisons out, bringing supplemental fertilizers from Earth, or avoiding Martian soil entirely and using hydroponics.

— Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of rinsing

Verb

The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over and just cooked through, 3–4 minutes more.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

Walsh will contribute across collection development, campaign concepts, styling, brand imagery and creative storytelling, working alongside the Rebecca Taylor team.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Phillips is working from a script by Jordan & Justin Shipley, creators of the TBS comedy Wrecked, with a rewrite by Phillips & frequent collaborator Gene Stupnitsky, who’s producing through his Big Name Entertainment banner.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026