1
2
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
3
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
soapy water washing down the drain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wetting
to make wet
rain washed the countryside for days on end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
washed the baby's hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
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
Here, fabric care and pediatric experts share their best tips for washing baby and toddler clothing and bedding safely.
—
Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
Auoon Clip-On Pot Strainer This clever clip-on pot strainer takes up less space in the cabinet and the dishwasher, and makes quick work of straining pasta water, washing fruit and vegetables, and more.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
As a teenager, Bajaria helped her immigrant family’s business, washing cars before winning a string of beauty pageants, including Miss India Worldwide in 1991.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 May 2026
The funerals often last multiple days and rituals can involve washing the body and sitting with or sleeping beside the corpse.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
Auoon Clip-On Pot Strainer This clever clip-on pot strainer takes up less space in the cabinet and the dishwasher, and makes quick work of straining pasta water, washing fruit and vegetables, and more.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
As a teenager, Bajaria helped her immigrant family’s business, washing cars before winning a string of beauty pageants, including Miss India Worldwide in 1991.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 May 2026
The funerals often last multiple days and rituals can involve washing the body and sitting with or sleeping beside the corpse.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing
Verb
-
The girl’s mother was bathing her other child when the victim tumbled out of the open second-floor apartment window, a police source said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Nerra combines the past and present of bathing culture into four products, The Bathhouse Ritual, that are meant to be used as a system.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Arden, who wore a plaid jacket and laceless black sneakers, headed to the flying area.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
According to the researchers, bumblebee behavior is not limited to flying around and diving belly deep into pollen.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Then, the monotony of the cave’s silence was broken by the sound of splashing as two divers with headlamps bubbled up from beneath the water.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Summer was for splashing around.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Irrigate at the base of plants to avoid wetting foliage, which can encourage plant diseases like black spot.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2026
-
Avoid wetting foliage when watering plants or water in the morning if using overhead sprinklers to help minimize foliar disease.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
While that does work, researchers found rinsing or soaking in water had the lowest median percent reduction of about 30%.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Swimsuit companies recommend rinsing after each use, then hand-washing with mild detergent every three to five uses.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
In this early 19th-century rebirth of backcountry religion, traveling ministers preached a fiery gospel of grace, stirring large crowds with their open-air sermons.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
-
Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The unemployment rate among young people is about twice as high as the national average; and 40% of college grads who are working have taken jobs that don't require a college degree, like temporary or part-time gigs.—
David Pogue,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Even when the air-conditioning is cranking, my friends and I are still dripping in sweat.—
Jeremy Rellosa,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
-
The cannister featured an image of an angry mutt with saliva dripping from its jaws.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
