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 Her work for a mobile car-washing service dwindles during the rainy season; the family only can afford one full meal a day, Torres said. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 Her daughter, who works for a mobile car-washing service, is the family's main provider. — ABC News, 25 July 2026 Documents released by the city, meanwhile, shed little light, but suggest the city is washing its hands of responsibility for the cottage. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 Thoroughly washing or peeling any fresh fruits and veggies before consuming them is always a good idea, regardless of whether there is a Cyclospora outbreak. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 How to Store After harvesting fresh cucamelons, Mercer suggests storing them in the refrigerator without washing them. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026 The light provides a kind of neutrality, washing me from a monster back into a mother in a flash—just another harried woman who is running a little late. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 As the risk of infection continues, Connecticut residents are urged to continue washing all produce in running water, scrubbing firm fruits and, to be safest, cooking produce to 158 degrees. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 Employees also moved from one work station to the next without washing hands and changing gloves. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing

Verb

Like most Korean spas, Spa Hyu offers hot and cold pools for bathing in the buff, with separate men’s and women’s soaking areas.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Much has once again been made of that famous 2007 photoshoot in which Messi was pictured bathing a young child, which turned out to be Yamal.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Definition of bathing

Verb

Breakker connected with a flying cross body over the barricade on Breakker as Cole talked up Evans developing an edge.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

Onlookers watched the storm surge at the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, with kids splashing in the floodwaters as Bertha approached the Louisiana Coast.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
To avoid this, water your plants in the morning and direct water to the soil line to keep it from splashing up on your plant’s leaves.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 19 July 2026

Definition of splashing

Verb

The mountain thunderstorms are expected to continue Monday and Tuesday but should be accompanied by wetting rains that dampen fire risk, with about a tenth of an inch of precipitation, Molina said.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Water in the morning deeply at the base of the plant using a soaker hose, avoiding wetting the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

Definition of wetting

Verb

Add the onion and rosemary sprigs and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and beginning to caramelize.

— Laura Mclively, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is softened and golden brown, 6–8 minutes.

— Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

Ciara modeled a sheer Celia Kritharioti gown dripping in crystal embellishments, matching its gold hue to her statement jewelry, which included a sculpted choker and giant rings that wrapped around her torso.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 17 July 2026
The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026