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
Do a Baking Soda Soak or Wash For stubborn mustiness, Salveson recommends adding 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum with the sheets (not the dispenser) and washing on warm.
—
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
While this would be a great thing under normal circumstances, the woman has broken two nice glasses and does a terrible job of washing everything — leaving food particles on the silverware and lipstick on coffee cups.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
As people express their grief, social obligations compel them to help prepare the deceased for burial, including touching and washing the body, as is traditional in the affected countries; visit the deceased’s family; and attend funerals.
—Katherine Marshall, STAT, 12 June 2026
What is the best soap for washing baseball caps?
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
While this would be a great thing under normal circumstances, the woman has broken two nice glasses and does a terrible job of washing everything — leaving food particles on the silverware and lipstick on coffee cups.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
As people express their grief, social obligations compel them to help prepare the deceased for burial, including touching and washing the body, as is traditional in the affected countries; visit the deceased’s family; and attend funerals.
—Katherine Marshall, STAT, 12 June 2026
What is the best soap for washing baseball caps?
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing
Verb
-
As of Wednesday, June 17, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has five beaches under swimming advisories due to a high level of enterococci, a type of bacteria that can indicate possible contamination from human or animal waste in bathing water.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
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Even outside of his music career, Tree remained an ambitious and creative individual, from bathing in a tub full of hot Cheetos for a laugh or setting the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest kick scooter in 2020 for real.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Anthony Maglione was flying from Pittsburgh to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, via Philadelphia on March 16 and started having issues soon after his first flight.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Federal prosecutors have said conspirators in the alleged plot discussed flying drones loaded with explosives over the event and then shooting into the fleeing crowd.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Canal Saint Martin in Paris drew throngs Sunday splashing and diving off a bridge, despite authorities’ attempts to control the crowds.—
Oleg Cetinic,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
-
If your idea of a bucket-list trip includes your furry friend digging holes in the sand and splashing around in the surf, then add Rehoboth Beach to the top of your list.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Irrigation should be applied at the base of the plant at the soil line to avoid wetting the blooms.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Gently rub while rinsing to remove any dirt or excess fuzz.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
Allow the solution to sit and break down stains for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Roast until the berries soften and the juices become syrupy, 30-35 minutes, stirring once halfway through.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
22 June 2026
-
The Zoroastrian high priest responded by stirring a pinch of sugar into the milk without spilling a drop.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Davidson is more steeped in Democratic politics, including working for years as a political consultant and winning a county legislature seat in 2023.—
Chris McKenna,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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These startups are working with a range of different non-invasive sensor modalities, including those that measure electrical pulses (EEG), those that measure magnetic fields (MEG), and those that use light to measure changes in blood flow (fNIRS).—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
That was the background; in the foreground were about a dozen ancient live-oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.—
Fred A. Bernstein,
Architectural Digest,
16 June 2026
-
Zendaya stunned in an LBD dripping with fringe during her first red carpet with Tom Holland since 2021.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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