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
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Recent Examples of washing
To celebrate his 40th birthday on May 13, 2026, read on to hear some of Pattinson's most nonsensical musings, from his hair-washing frequency to childhood hand modeling.
—
Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Balogun had found a lump on the underside of her jaw while washing her face four months previously, and now her career and identity were about to be upended.
—George Ramsay, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Customers should boil water prior to washing their hands or face, brushing their teeth, drinking or cooking.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
South Florida frequently sees sargassum washing ashore on its beaches, but the brown seaweed generally isn't harmful to humans.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Balogun had found a lump on the underside of her jaw while washing her face four months previously, and now her career and identity were about to be upended.
—George Ramsay, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Customers should boil water prior to washing their hands or face, brushing their teeth, drinking or cooking.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
South Florida frequently sees sargassum washing ashore on its beaches, but the brown seaweed generally isn't harmful to humans.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing
Verb
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The Armorer says that after removing his helmet, he can only be redeemed by bathing in the Living Waters on Mandalore.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
That said, bathing regularly with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser can be helpful.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
Verb
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These include serving as a flying test bed for in orbit manufacturing of alloys, composite materials, and fibers as well as research and production of space medicine.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
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Bystanders, including young children, were forced to corner themselves inside the restaurant to avoid being struck by the flying chairs.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Also use a mulch to keep the fungal spores from splashing between plants.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
Kreischer and his crew take over the beach, stomping on the Carolina Panthers’ sand castle, cutting the line of the Falcons’ kite and splashing the Detroit Lions, Vikings and Packers with the wake of a jet ski.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
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
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Avoid wetting leaves and vines.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Vulcano About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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Not to mention that, in the cabin, the only person doing the dishes and rinsing out everyone’s beer cans for the recycling was the ostensibly famous lead singer—the only woman, natch.—
Dan Kois,
Pitchfork,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Return to a boil, gently stirring the gnocchi to prevent sticking.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
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Set aside at room temperature, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture is syrupy, about 30 minutes.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
By late summer, as the government’s funding was set to run out again, Jeffries was working closely with Schumer to make sure that Democrats in the House and the Senate were in alignment.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Across all of them, AI is working where the operating model was ready for it.—
Dennis Woodside,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Fellow livestream host La La Anthony, a bronze goddess in a Wiederhoeft gown dripping with jewels, channeled her inner Jessica Rabbit with red hair.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
The pop superstar, 36, stepped out for a wedding dripping in recognizable jewels once owned by one of her latest album's muses, Elizabeth Taylor, while heading to Honey's cocktail bar with her fiancé, Travis Kelce, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Saturday, May 16.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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