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
Hazel was chasing a stream of water down the street while her father was pressure washing their driveway outside when she was hit by a car backing out of a nearby driveway, her parents told KPCQ.
—
Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended.
—Allison Gollenberg, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
Any washing machine leaks would cause excessive damage to carpet, and the flooring would likely need to be removed and replaced.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
Diners spend hours cracking shells with wooden mallets, picking meat by hand, and washing it all down with cold beer.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended.
—Allison Gollenberg, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
Any washing machine leaks would cause excessive damage to carpet, and the flooring would likely need to be removed and replaced.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
Diners spend hours cracking shells with wooden mallets, picking meat by hand, and washing it all down with cold beer.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing
Verb
-
Every day revolves around medications, feedings, therapies, appointments, bathing, dressing and monitoring their health.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
How Long To Run The Exhaust Fan When bathing, run the fan the whole time to clear moisture and humidity from the air.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 June 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
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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 14 Jun. 2026.
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