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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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Fun facts aside, Irish Spring soap serves more purposes than just bathing and handwashing.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Dec. 2025
-
There is a cafe and spa, but future plans include an on-site hotel, additional mineral water-fed pools, forest-bathing areas, and more spa services like saltwater floating pools and red-light therapy.—
Lauren Jones,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After flying overnight from San Antonio back to the Big Apple, Jose Alvarado, also a native New Yorker, took part in a local Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the mayor joined him in the fun.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Videos circulating online show Eduarda flying through the air, both arms outstretched, in the moments before her death.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Verb
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But as Hollie told the outlet, her family wasn't the only one splashing about that day.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
Once the tomatoes have grown some, remove stems that are closer than 12 inches to the ground to keep soil from splashing on the leaves.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Verb
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To achieve the bright look, Davy used a ColourPop eyeshadow palette, wetting the shadows with some water and using a concealer brush to apply them.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
-
Space Leylands 8 to 10 feet apart to control these problems and avoid wetting the foliage.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Alternatively, microwave chocolate at 50 percent power in 30-second increments, stirring well between each, until mostly melted.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
However, Venus in Cancer will square Chiron in Aries, stirring feelings of vulnerability around romance, money and self-worth.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The seven core collaborators – Kogonada, producer Chung An, producer Christopher Radcliff, producer-cinematographer Benjamin Loeb, and actor-producers Richardson, Mao and Jin Ha – collectively owned the project, splitting responsibilities and working without outside financing.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
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Rowland has been taking one of these biologics—Ebglyss—and working with the makers of the medication—Lilly—to increase the awareness of eczema and available treatments.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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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 17 Jun. 2026.
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