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 Additionally, the project’s closed-loop water system prevents nutrients from washing into nearby rivers, where runoff from conventional cotton production can contribute to eutrophication. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 From SheetsGate to purposefully washing Joy’s uniforms with rags, the laundry room has unleashed something deranged in Gen. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 This includes avoiding close contact with people who are sick; covering your coughs and sneezes; washing your hands frequently with soap and water; and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The other method is hand-washing the blanket in a bathtub with cool water and a wool detergent. — Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026 Apply a nourishing hand cream with ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid after your cuticle oil — and after washing your hands, as soap and warm water can sap moisture from the skin. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 18 Sep. 2026 Folding small clothes; washing little faces; sunscreen; a million snacks. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026 Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis includes washing the wound in question, receiving the human rabies vaccine, and, if necessary, rabies immunoglobulins, according to the World Health Organization. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026 Those areas have not closed, but campers are required to bring their own water for drinking and washing their hands. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing

Verb

The Samaria regional council said the killed man, Netanel Shakron, was a settler who had been bathing at a spring ahead of Yom Kippur.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Light pours through the windows and settles into every corner, bathing the bakery in the most ethereal glow.

— Samantha Rees, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bathing

Verb

Or two weeks ago, flying to Frieze Seoul, 37 hours there and back, after a trip to the East Coast and Europe that was another 42.

— Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Nearly $2 billion from venture capital investors has underpinned Zipline’s global business that has grown from flying medical supplies to food delivery for Uber.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

In the mornings, only the women with young children were seen in the courtyard, playing and splashing in the small pool, a luxury in a housing project.

— Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Gay Rogers, who has lived with the flooding for 50 years, said speeding cars regularly send waves of water splashing to her front door, leaving trash scattered across her lawn.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 18 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

The gentle, foaming elixir feels soft on skin, rinsing away dirt and makeup while hydrating and coddling with flaxseed oil.

— Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026
Prepare the sprouts for storage by rinsing and draining the sprouts thoroughly, then laying them out on a dish towel to dry for an hour or so.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rinsing

Verb

Cook saag over medium-low heat, stirring often, until heated through (do not bring to a simmer or saag may split).

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Venus in your career zone forms an awkward connection to Uranus in your playful 5th house, stirring tension between what looks polished and what actually feels interesting.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

The team has already constructed a working proof-of-concept that measures magnetic fields by reading the spin states of the NV centers.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Agents working with lower-risk candidates may simply be fellow migrants who speak Thai and can help confused and scared people navigate a complex bureaucracy.

— Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of working

Verb

In a twist on tailoring, jackets dripping with fringe made their way down the runway at Monse.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Zendaya, who was a nominee for her powerful performance on the HBO drama Euphoria, wore a glamorous Prada gown dripping with crystals that was styled by Law Roach.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026