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 While no produce wash—including this one, vinegar, or baking soda—can eliminate Cyclospora, thoroughly washing your produce can help reduce dirt and contamination on the surface. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026 The inspector noted that employees weren’t washing their hands properly and the ice from a dirty ice machine wasn’t safe for human consumption. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 Public health experts recommend thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables or simply cooking them, which kills the tiny critters. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 July 2026 Roll along the interior lining to lift debris without fully washing the bag. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026 Enough of the shoot was done in Provincetown itself to provide a warm evocation of the popular Massachusetts summertime destination, even if the movie could almost be accused of straight-washing its picturesque setting. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026 During an active outbreak, washing your prewashed greens is a good idea. — Lisa Cuchara, The Conversation, 29 July 2026 Her work for a mobile car-washing service dwindles during the rainy season; the family only can afford one full meal a day, Torres said. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 Her daughter, who works for a mobile car-washing service, is the family's main provider. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing

Verb

The rocks can provide birds with a safe place to perch when bathing, too.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026
Apparently, Alice has stopped bathing because Marshall used to yank her out of the shower to beat her up.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Definition of bathing

Verb

Breakker connected with a flying cross body over the barricade on Breakker as Cole talked up Evans developing an edge.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

With designers including Prada, Acne Studios and Dior splashing their Spring/Summer 2027 menswear runways with colored denim, the category is positioned to grow well beyond 2026.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
But the Ship upper stage hit all of its marks, successfully deploying 20 next-gen Starlink satellites, re-igniting one of its Raptor engines in space as planned and splashing down softly off the coast of Western Australia.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of splashing

Verb

The mountain thunderstorms are expected to continue Monday and Tuesday but should be accompanied by wetting rains that dampen fire risk, with about a tenth of an inch of precipitation, Molina said.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Water in the morning deeply at the base of the plant using a soaker hose, avoiding wetting the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

Definition of wetting

Verb

Cook gently over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching the bottom of the pot.

— Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
The Sun in your 4th House of Home opposes Pluto in your 10th House of Career, stirring pressure around family needs, professional expectations, privacy, and control.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

Driving his son’s final path himself, Urrutia was convinced that if the wrong-way detectors had been working that night, his son would still be alive.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Qiu was known for research working with a cutting-edge technique known as base editing to make custom treatments for children with rare diseases.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of working

Verb

The note probably wouldn’t have been legible anyway, with the constant blood dripping from my writing hand.

— Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026
The shots are busy with equipment—boom mikes, bulb-flashes, wires and cables dripping like innards or snakes, the hungry Cyclopean eye of a mounted camera.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026